Shockletz earns Melbourne Cup berth

A plan 12 months in the making has come to fruition with Shockletz winning her way into the Lexus Melbourne Cup. 

A daughter of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Shockletz earned a 'Golden Ticket' into the 'race that stop a nation' by scoring in the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday. 

Sporting blinkers for the first time, Shockletz was sent out the $2.90 favourite under Harry Coffey before scoring a 2-¼ length win from Think Giant ($9) with Jennivamoose ($6.50) a length away third. 

Trainer Ciaron Maher said applying the blinkers on Saturday was a major factor in her scoring on Saturday. 

"I thought she was having a bit of a lend," Maher said. 

"I could see her prick her ears in the last 100 metres at Caulfield and Jennivamoose actually went past her. 

"I was toying with whether I put winkers or blinkers on, but as (part-owner) Lawrence (Eales) said, Shocking won the Cup with blinkers on, so I thought we would go with them. 

"The team has done a great job managing her. It has been a long-range plan to get her into the Cup and back at Flemington, blinkers on, she'll run two miles, so they can dare to dream." 

Maher has had success with racing stayers through the winter months and getting into the Cups and said Shockletz reminded him of High Emocean who ran third in the 2022 Melbourne Cup. 

"She's a lighter style mare that doesn't take a lot of work, like High Emocean, is clean winded and you just have to have them happy and well," Maher said. 

"The longer the prep, not a lot of work, suits her. 

"Thankfully the little tinker, and a good ride by Harry, we were very confident watching the race." 

With Shockletz having gained a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption, Maher said he could work back from November 3, the date of the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, to plan the mare's program. 

"She won't be over-raced, she will be on the fresher side," he said.