New Zealand bred gelding Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) is on the verge of making history by aiming for consecutive victories in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on Saturday, a feat not achieved in over five decades.
The last horse to secure back-to-back wins in this race was Dark Diamond in 1971 and 1972.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Hezashocka showcased his prowess on heavy tracks by clinching the 2024 edition of the race, held at Newcastle due to renovations at Gosford Racecourse.
Despite trailing leader Sir Lucan by six lengths at the home turn, jockey Chad Schofield guided Hezashocka to a remarkable victory, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead.
That win ended a 22-month drought for the gelding who would subsequently go on to win the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm.
“Hezashocka won this race last year on a Heavy 10 at Newcastle,” Price said.
“Then he went to Queensland and won. He is on a similar program but the sweet-spot for him is 2400m on the wet.
“The wetter the better for him, but it looks like the tracks are improving at the moment but who knows with Sydney, it is dry one day and you get a deluge the next.”
The Gosford track was rated a Slow 7 on Wednesday.
Hezashocka began his career with in New Zealand with Shaun and Emma Clotworthy and won the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie before OTI Racing bought into the horse. Originally purchased at Karaka for $18,000 out of the draft of Grangewilliam Stud, Hezashocka has now won five of his 39 starts with a further nine placings and A$$1,442,103 in prize-money.