Hezashocka to keep the best of company

Hezashocka is making good progress toward a new campaign that will focus on top level targets.

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are keen to chase Group One features in three states with the Kiwi-bred son of Shocking, who hasn’t raced since he finished third behind Zaaki and Mo’unga in the Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in November.

“We’re delighted with the horse, he’s going fantastic and looks super and is a really happy horse,” Kent Jnr said.

Hezashocka is stepping up in his work ahead of planned jump-outs to ready him for his return in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 4.

“His first jump-out will likely be at Ararat on February 9 and his second will be two weeks later at Stawell,” Kent Jnr said.

“They will hold him in pretty good stead for a first-up tilt at the Blamey, which leaves three weeks into the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m).

“From there we will have a two week leap into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) in Sydney. He will be up against all the big guns like Anamoe, but he has run well against them before.”

Hezashocka may then be freshened for a trip to the Queensland winter carnival.

“He could go there for a Hollindale (Gr.2, 1800m) and Doomben Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) program,” Kent Jnr said.

Hezashocka began his career with Shaun and Emma Clotworthy and won the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie before OTI Racing bought into the horse.

He was originally purchased at Karaka for $18,000 out of the draft of Grangewilliam Stud, who will offer his half-sister by Derryn as Lot 509 at next week’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.