Rich Hill newcomer Shocking was the centre of attention at the Matamata stud’s stallion parade on Sunday.

Guests included Shocking’s trainer Mark Kavanagh and owner Laurence Eales.  “I’ll certainly be sending mares to him and I’m really looking forward to having his progeny in my stable,” Kavanagh said.  

“Shocking had a devastating turn of foot and all in all he was an outstanding racehorse.  I think he’ll develop into a top-end sire.”

As well as winning the Melbourne Cup, the son of champion Darley shuttler Street Cry was also successful in a GI Australian Cup and G2 Makybe Diva Stakes.

Shocking (Street Cry) will stand alongside Any Suggestion, Pentire and Sir Percy at Rich Hill this year.

Pentire got away to a flying start in Australia this season with an interstate double over the weekend.  Lake George won at Doomben and The Black Oak continued his winning form at Warrnambool.

Over in Perth, Kincaple put in a brilliant finishing burst to run second at Belmont and news from WA suggests Pentire galloper Bridgestone is also ready to resume.

The Neville Parnham trained stallion hasn’t been sighted for over a year following a suspensory injury and he will need a couple of trials before racing.

Bridgestone (5h Pentire – Golden Dawn by Gold Brose) was G3 placed behind stablemate God Has Spoken in the 2009 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes.  He resumed at three to defeat subsequent G3 Champion Fillies winner Le Plunge at Belmont before embarking on a spring campaign in the Eastern States.

He was slowly away first-up at Caulfield in the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes but finished in good company when fourth home behind Shamoline Warrior, Onemorenomore and Gathering.

A stone bruise derailed his Victoria Derby preparation, however, he returned to Perth and won the South West Breeders’ Plate at Bunbury and the Listed Roberts Quality at Ascot before finishing a close second in the G1 WATC Derby.

Parnham has nominated Bridgestone for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.