Shock ‘Em Ova Out To Prove His Calibre

Shock 'Em Ova looking for Zipping Classic win

Shock ‘Em Ova entered his Spring campaign as a lightly race but highly thought of prospect in the long distance ranks and after a couple of wins a benchmark level he reached a peak when finishing third in the Rosehill Gold Cup.

Shock ‘Em Ova made a bold run late on November 4th to finish within a head of Group 2 winner Wild Planet and ahead of several previous Group and Listed grade winners. 

Trainer Alex Rae said that Shock ‘Em Ova’s sectionals that day proved the quality of his runner. 

"The way he did it was impressive as well because he ran lightning quick sectionals," Rae said.

"I think the only horse that ran a faster last 200m than him on the day was the Golden Eagle winner (Japanese galloper Obamburumai)."

Shock ‘Em Ova received a 5 point ratings boost for his placing in the Rosehill Gold Cup and Rae is looking for his runner to gain another placing or better finish in order to give him more freedom to contest races in 2024.

"After we took him to Sydney and he measured up so well with a fantastic run, showing he was well and truly up to that grade, we changed focus," Rae said.

"We've gone now from wrapping him up in cotton wool to trying now to trying to get his rating up so we're not dictated to by the program in the next 12 months and we can run him where we need to.

"If he can run top three in a weight-for-age Group 2, he'd be penalised significantly and that will get his rating up to a place where we can target the better races.

"He's crucified at weight-for-age but we're running to try and get his rating up."

A win in the Zipping Classic would allow Rae to get a longer preparation completed with Shock ‘Em Ova rather than having to contest races through the Autumn and Brisbane Winter Carnivals.

"If he could run well Saturday, he could have a good spell over the unpleasant hot summer months and we can bring him up slowly," Rae said.

"Really the priority is the Melbourne spring next year, even a race like the Caulfield Cup next year.

"We could entertain the possibility of taking him to Queensland for the winter.

"We saw how it worked with the Melbourne Cup winner."

TAB has Shock 'Em Ova at $11 in early Zipping Classic betting.

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