HERE To Shock might be an early $34 chance in Saturday's $1m Australian Guineas (1600m), but his Sutton Grange trainer Brent Stanley is expecting his colt to run a bold race.
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The Group 2 and dual Group 3-winning trainer remains undaunted following the son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking's last start 10th in the C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and is backing his star three-year-old to bounce back strongly in the 1600m feature.
"I'm still super-confident, last start was a bit of a kick in the ribs, everything went pear-shaped," Stanley said.
'He drew an average barrier and was ridden quite aggressively out of the gates, then he crossed and had to set a high tempo.
"He tired and later they discovered a bit of mucous on his lungs.
"That cleared during the week and I've had no issues with him since. His bloods have been sensational and his last piece of work was good.
"We galloped him in between races on Tuesday at Bendigo and the horse he galloped with (Ceardai) won at Kilmore (on Thursday)."
Here To Shock will be ridden by Luke Nolen and is Stanley's 13th Group 1 runner.
His first was the mare Veuvelicious, who finished sixth in the 2014 Champagne Stakes at Randwick, while his best result came with his 2018 Bendigo Cup winner Red Alto, who finished fourth in the 2015 Victorian Derby.
The former jockey experienced Group 1 success in the saddle by piloting Arctic Scent to victory in the 1996 Caulfield Cup and would dearly love to add another as a trainer.
After Here To Shock jumped from barrier 11 in the C.S Hayes Stakes, Stanley could not be happier to see him exiting from gate four in the Guineas.
"It gives us a real live chance of winning and a chance to get a good position in the run. It's put a smile on our face," he said.
"To be honest, his last start wasn't that important, it was always going to be a tough run.
"Out there over 1400m (in the C.S. Hayes Stakes) was always going to be tough, you either need great gate speed or get back and hope the speed's on.
"He's drawn a sensational barrier to be just behind the speed, or just a bit further back if they go quicker. Hopefully, he gets a bit of luck in the running.
"We've been getting ready for this race since he was bought.
"Fingers crossed, he's definitely the right horse if a few things go right."\
Meanwhile, Stanley enjoyed success at Kilmore on Thursday with Ceardai.
"It looked like a sad story coming around the home turn, bailed up behind them, but when the gap came he sprinted through which was good," he said.
"He worked with Here To Shock on Tuesday and his work was 10 times better against a class horse.
"He's really starting to show something."
Ceardai's maiden win came at his fifth Australian start and 10th start overall.
The Australian Guineas will be run at 4.05pm on Saturday.
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