Narrowly denied last start at Caulfield by the fast-finishing D’aguilar, Hezashocka made amends with a gritty win after settling well back in the field, out lasting second favourite Mankayan over the concluding stages to take out the VRC Members Handicap at $4.
The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr trained gelding was a benefit of the ‘J Kah on first time’ gear change and notched up his second win at Flemington in the process.
Racing manager for the Price & Kent stable Tom Sheahan commented on the horse’s progression this time in.
“It’s great, he’s a different horse this time in, he doesn’t like to win by much or lose by much last couple of starts but it’s always great to get the win like that,” Sheahan said.
Jamie Kah returned from holiday with a double at Sandown on Wednesday and picked up where she left off, showing her typical balance and calmness after missing the start.
“It didn’t go to plan early, he fell out the gates, we didn’t have much gate speed at all, but they went a nice enough tempo and the horse was strong. He hit the front and actually felt like he was going to go away with it but he was just waiting for the other horses. I actually thought we might’ve lost it on the line but I was glad he held on,” Kah said.
Kah has developed a strong association with the Price & Kent stable, going at just a shade under 25% win strike rate over their lifetime, and the stable were thrilled to have her back today.
“Jamie’s worth her weight in gold, when you can put her on a horse, why wouldn’t you?” Sheahan said.
