After a Cranbourne debut win, Shock Em Ova has backed that up with success at The Valley
Trainer Alex Rae is unlikely to be tempted to press on into the spring despite the stylish win of Shock ‘Em Ova at The Valley.
Success in the Dominant Plant Powered Cleaning Handicap (2040m) on Saturday followed the debut win by Shock ‘Em Ova earlier in the month.
Rae held pre-race concerns the tight circuit at The Valley may not suit the son of Shocking, but the trainer’s confidence grew soon after the field thundered out of the straight on the first occasion.
Ridden by Jake Noonan, Shock ‘Em Ova ($8.50) raced to victory by a length over Storm King ($6) with King Halston ($14) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
“It’s very exciting. He was under pressure a fair way out but he’s a very stout staying animal and was very strong through the line,” Rae said.
“My biggest concern today was how he was going to deal with the Moonee Valley circuit with the rush to the first corner and then sitting up and having a breather, but he coped with it really well.
“Going out of the straight the first time, I was really confident that he would be in the finish.”
Rae said he would not be rushed into making a decision on Shock ‘Em Ova’s future, favouring to send the gelding for a break.
“We’ll see how he pulls up and make that decision on Monday,” Rae said.
“I would suggest we would be putting him out for the backend of the summer and into the autumn.”
Noonan has been aboard Shock ‘Em Ova in both outings to date and believes with the benefit of time the gelding will prove a good stayer.
“He’s doing it all on raw ability at the moment and that shows how much ability he’s got,” Noonan said.
“When the penny drops, he’ll be a horse, whether that is in three or six months.
“Will he run a mile-and-a-half, I’m not sure yet, but on today’s performance I think he will.”
