Shocking cemented his place in the Melbourne Cup with a two-length win in Saturday’s G3 Hotham Handicap (2500m) at Flemington.

In a welcome change of Derby Day luck for Mark Kavanagh, Shocking stormed home along the inside fence to record a brilliant win.  His Cup price was slashed from $21 into $9 and he’s now on the fourth line of favouritism for the race that stops the nation.

For Kavanagh, it was the right result after his Victoria Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior was scratched on Saturday morning.  “You’ve got to roll with the punches,” Kavanagh said. “You’re down one minute and up the next.”

Shocking won with plenty in hand and is still peaking for the Cup.  “I’m very happy with him going into Tuesday,” Kavanagh commented.  “That’s the race I’ve set him for all of the way along.”

Shocking (4h Street Cry – Maria Di Castiglia by Danehill) is owned by Laurence Eales who also races Group 1 galloper Whobegotyou with Kavanagh.  He is also by Darley’s super-sire Street Cry.

Eales went to $64,000 to buy Shocking at the 2007 Magic Millions 2YO HIT Sale.  He originally went through the ring at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale when purchased for $45,000 by Washpool Lodge out of the Ilala Stud consignment.

Before breaking through at Flemington, Shocking had been placed behind Alcopop in the Listed JRA Cup at Moonee Valley and the G2 Herbert Power Hcp at Caulfield and he also finished second to Baughurst in the G3 Coongy Hcp at Caulfield.

His dam Maria Di Castiglia foaled minor winners by King of Kings, End Sweep, Xaar and Lujain before visiting Street Cry.  She was bred in England and retired a maiden after just three starts.  Second dam Macrina Pompea (Don Roberto) was a Listed winner in Italy.