A HALF SHOCKING UPSET
2400M CHALLENGE SUITS UNSETTLING
A BENCHMARK 58 on Boxing Day is a long way from the heights of her brother, but staying mare Unsettling put in an eye-catching performance to win at Geelong yesterday.
The half sister to 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, trained by the same trainer, Mark Kavanagh, and wearing the same silks, hugged the rail to shock her rivals in the $22,000 Shojun Concrete handicap.
Speaking after Unsettling saluted at $29, Kavanagh said he wouldn’t be quick to raise the bar with the four-year-old.
“Do they make (benchmark) 59s?” Kavanagh joked.
“Look, she’s a nice horse and it’s the first time she’s got to 2400m. Being a half sister to Shocking, you’d think she’d run a trip.
“She is probably not as good as him at this stage, but we will keep her going and try and find some nice long races for her.
“The longer the races get, the better. So we will see where she takes us.”
Given a gem of a ride by experienced hoop Joe Bowditch, Unsettling slithered up on the rails to hold off a charging Valhalla Princess in a tight finish.
The win landed a double for
Bowditch, who also saluted on Mick Price and Michael Kenttrained Shush.
“There’s nothing wrong with the rail there,” he said.
MEANWHILE, Daniel Moor’s flying visit back to Australia reaped dividends, riding Sham I Am to victory.
Singapore-based Moor returned home for Christmas and yesterday teamed up with trainer Danny O’Brien and breeder Jeffrey Dimery to salute on Sham I Am.
The speedy horse enjoyed the drop back in grade to Class 1 level, finishing strongly to score by just under a length.
“I go back on Monday. Ride on the first over there and back into the grind,” Moor said.
“I’ve been there two years in March, so it’s kicking along a bit. The family enjoys it and it’s a good lifestyle.
“To ride a winner for Dan on a short trip back is really satisfying.”
Moor said Sham I Am showed his class to win after leading and then kicking in the straight.
“He had to shoulder a bit of weight, he’s only small. But he’s pretty small and puts himself in the right spot and makes his own luck,” Moor said.