By Craig Kerry
Rain, hail or shine for the Gosford Gold Cup, jockey Chad Schofield and trainer Mick Price agree veteran Hezashocka is ready to step up for his title defence on Saturday.
But there’s no doubt they want a wet track.
Chad Schofield and Hezashocka (right) win the Gosford Gold Cup at Newcastle last year.Credit: Getty Images
Last year, Hezashocka relished a heavy track at Newcastle to win the 2200m listed $300,000 race. Back to Gosford, and 2100m, this year, the Big Dance qualifier could again be held on rain-affected ground.
The track was rated a soft 7 on Thursday, and with a high chance of showers to come, it could stay that way, which would please Price.
“Last year the race was moved to Newcastle, and it was a very heavy track,” Price said. “He needs it wet, but he ran well the other day, and he’s on the improve that horse.
“We’ve got him looking better, eating better and he’s a bit stronger.”
The seven-year-old was seventh but making ground late in the group 2 Ajax (1500m) and Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) to start this campaign before finishing well as best of the rest behind Bois D’argent in the group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) last time out.
Price was happy with the performances and was eyeing another crack at the Gosford Cup-group 3 Premier’s Cup double.
“We’ve had this plan because then he goes to the mile and a half race in Queensland that he won last year,” he said.
“He’s in the right zone at the moment, but he just needs conditions on the day to suit. If it does rain, his chances will improve.
“I thought he was excellent last start, and he’s at the right point now.
“With these staying horses, you always have to kill off a couple of runs with them, and he’s chiming into just about peak performances for these couple of races.
“The 2400m on a wet track is his sweet spot, so hopefully he gets those conditions.”
Schofield was aboard Hezashocka on the “bottomless” Newcastle track last year and likes how he is tracking for Saturday, where he is a $4.80 Sportsbet chance from gate one.
“He does love the wet, but he ran really well on a better surface last time,” Schofield said. “He’s just a good, old, honest horse, and I feel like he’s going as well as ever.
“He’s been running well, feeling good and he’s got a good barrier.”
Les Vampires is a $4.20 favourite in a wide open affair. Hezashocka will be aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the cup since Dark Diamond in 1971-72. Midsummer Sun was first past the post in 2014 and 2015, but the second win was wiped out because of a positive swab for cobalt.
In the feature $500,000 The Coast (1600m), Schofield has the ride on the Ciaron Maher-trained Vivy Air ($23). Last year’s Big Dance runner-up will be third up into the race and has drawn gate seven.
“She’s a capable mare and it sets up well for her,” he said. “She has drawn a nice, middle alley. She’s trained by the right camp, so it will be a nice ride.”
Schofield’s best chance on the day shapes up as the Bjorn Baker-trained Raikkonen ($2.70) in the last, a benchmark 78 (1200m).
The three-year-old, resuming from gate six, won two of his first four starts, but finished his maiden campaign last in the group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm.
“He’s a horse I have a lot of time for,” Schofield said. “He raced through the grades really well, then I went and rode him in Brisbane last time and everything went wrong. He stumbled badly at the start and went right down onto his nose. After that, he charged and was wide, no cover.
“It was a complete forget run, but he’s a horse with ability and I reckon he can measure up to better races.”
