The chance to qualify for a $3 million Melbourne Cup day feature has tempted Lindsay Park to bypass an assignment at Caulfield in favour of bringing Here To Shock north for the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes confirmed the multiple stakes winner had made the float trip to NSW overnight on Wednesday and would take his place in the Cameron Handicap (1500m), rather than tackle the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) in his home state a day later.
The winner and runner-up at Newcastle will earn qualification for the Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick in November.
“We thought it’s a race that he could win, and then he can race for $3 million at his preferred trip,” Ben Hayes said.
“We looked at both races and the race at Caulfield is very strong with Another Wil and some other nice, progressive horses and he’s one of the favourites at Newcastle.
“He’s been working well, he’s drawn well (barrier nine), and we expect him to be very competitive.”
Here To Shock was a $4.60 favourite for the Cameron on Thursday and will be ridden by Nash Rawiller.
His biggest threat is set to come from trainer Ciaron Maher, who will gang tackle the race with up to five runners, led by Chorlton Lane ($6), Berkshire Breeze ($6.50) and St Lawrence ($9).
While last start Goulburn Cup placegetter Chorlton Lane is the leading pick in markets, Maher’s Sydney foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord regards Berkshire Breeze as potentially their No. 1 seed – if he can get even luck from barrier 16.
“If he had the right gate, he would be the one,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He has drawn wide, but it has been the target for him since his first-up run.
“It’s a nice, big track and we’ve got James (McDonald) riding.”
The former European was beaten less than four lengths in the Doncaster Mile during the autumn and didn’t have the best of luck when midfield behind Ceolwulf first-up at Randwick last month.
The Newcastle Cup (2300m) also headlines Friday’s program with Redstone Well fancied to give Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald their first win in the race.
