Shockletz takes step towards Cup qualifiers

Cummings would often use the Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m), run at Flemington on Saturday, as a starting point for his Cup campaigners as they gradually built the miles into their legs for the first Tuesday in November. 

The Aurie's Star was run a little later in August than it is nowadays and proved a valuable guide to how spring contenders were progressing. 

This year's Aurie's Star Handicap won't have a Melbourne Cup competitor later in the spring, but the Ciaron Maher stable is hoping Saturday's program will provide them with an opportunity to springboard one of their potential stayers into a qualifying race in a little over a month's time. 

Shockletz runs in the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) on Saturday as a lead-up to the first of two upcoming qualifying races for the Melbourne Cup. 

The Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 12 followed by the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on October 3 offer the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3. 

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said it had been long-range plan to target the two races with Shockletz. 

"We're trying to get her into The Archer," Turnbull said. 

"That's our little plan, try and qualify her and then if that doesn't work, there is The Bart Cummings. 

"It's been a long-term plan to work back from those particular races and get her in there. 

"Her brother and her family have raced at those types of distances, and we feel she has got that quality." 

Shockletz, a sister to Horrifying, progressed through the staying ranks last season and has been given a quiet time this campaign. 

She had three runs during the early winter before a freshen in a bid to have her peaking for The Archer and The Bart Cummings. 

"I'm really pleased with her, and she's freshened up really well," Turnbull said. 

"She only had two weeks off and while she's first-up she had three runs and she's not going to be lacking fitness. 

"Last prep we were conscious of going one too many and giving her the right amount of time out to have her for this prep. 

"We've always had time for her and hopefully she repays us."