Bookies’ hope Horrifying

HORRIFYING could earn a shot at emulating his famous sire with a win in Saturday’s Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington.

Horrifying’s sire Shocking won the 2009 Melbourne Cup in one of the stayer’s three famous wins at Flemington.

Shocking got into his Melbourne Cup via the Lexus Stakes on Derby Day but Horrifying would earn a Cup start if he won the Andrew Ramsden.

TAB has Horrifying as a $51 chance in all-in betting

Shocking also won the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) in 2010 and the next year’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington before moving to New Zealand to stand at stud.

Mark Kavanagh trained Shocking to his Melbourne Cup triumph and prepares Horrifying in partnership with his son Levi.

Horrifying also races in the black and orange silks of managing owner Laurence Eales.

The Kavanaghs had Melbourne Cup plans for Horrifying last year after the gelding’s solid fifth in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm but they didn’t come to fruition after four unplaced runs.

“We brought him back in the spring and had big things planned for him,” Levi Kavanagh said.

“We had him nominated for the Cup hoping he would get there but he didn’t make it and his bloods weren’t that good so we tipped him out and started again.”

The stable has set Horrifying easier tasks in his first three runs this time in but Saturday’s $500,000 race has been in the trainers’ minds for some time.

Horrifying showed he wanted further than the 2000m of his last start at Mornington on April 28.

Kavanagh said the 2800m on the spacious Flemington circuit would be perfect for Horrifying.

“We decided to start at lower levels this time in and work his way up and all his runs have been super this time in,” Kavanagh said.

“He’s been working home well and he’s been looking for more distance.

“A race like this just might be the perfect stepping stone and he has won on the big track at Flemington over 2000m.

“We think he’ll get the trip and we know he likes the track but he’s just got to have a bit of luck.”

Kavanagh said Horrifying’s rider would need to avoid taking shortcuts on the inside on the gelding when making ground in Saturday’s race.

“The way he gets back and finishes off, he doesn’t like to be trapped on the rail,” Kavanagh said.

“He’s just got to have everything go his own way.”