The rain that fell at acceptance time on Wednesday for the Caulfield meeting was music to the ears of the Mick Price andĀ Michael Kent JnrĀ stable.
The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday is the contest the Price and Kent Jnr stable have picked out forĀ Hezashocka.
The problem is the stayer has a terrible record on dry ground and is far better performed when there isĀ someĀ give.
The track was posted in the good category when acceptances were declared on Wednesday morning, just as a heavy rain band descended on Melbourne.
There is some rain forecast for theĀ remainderĀ of the week, but how much effect that will have on the Caulfield track remains to be seen.
“He hasn’t won for a while and he’s had something like 20 starts on good ground, for no result,” Price said.
“He needs to get his toe in.Ā It’sĀ a $750,000 race and he did run in a $1 million race three starts ago, soĀ I’llĀ probably sendĀ him around becauseĀ he’sĀ in good order.”
Hezashocka collected $45,000 when he finished last in the Group 1 MightĀ AndĀ Power (2000m) at Caulfield last month before finding the firm track against himĀ in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 29.
At his most recent outing on his preferred soft ground,Ā HezashockaĀ found the trip too far when a fading sixth in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week.
Hezashocka’sĀ last victory came on a soft track in Brisbane in June last year.
A field of 14 stayers is set to contest the ZippingĀ ClassicĀ on Saturday, named after theĀ horseĀ that won the raceĀ onĀ four consecutive occasions at Sandown from 2007 through to 2010.
AmongĀ Hezashocka’sĀ rivalsĀ on SaturdayĀ includeĀ Kovalica, Smokin’ Romans, Alenquer, Brayden Star, StarĀ VegaĀ andĀ She’s A Hustler.
Price said ifĀ HezashockaĀ runs well on Saturday then the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 13 could come under consideration.
The trainer hasĀ noted the Pakenham surface had beenĀ retainingĀ moisture in recent meetings.
“It has been aĀ wetĀ track and racing like a heavy track,Ā soĀ that would suit him,” Price said.
“But by the time he gets to it, it might firm up a bit.”
