Here To Shock set to hit the road after Caulfield assignment on Saturday

Here To Shock was scratched from Hawkesbury to run at Caulfield instead but a trip interstate remains on the cards.

Last-start Group 3 winner Here To Shock is set to hit the road after Saturday’s Caulfield assignment.

Here To Shock ran third first-up in the Echuca Cup before improving to claim the Group 3 Victoria Handicap at his second autumn run.

The Victoria Handicap form stood up when the runner-up Seonee easily won at Group 2 level in Adelaide last Saturday.

The strength of the Victoria Handicap form is one reason TAB customers backed him from $4.80 to $3.80.

Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes gave Here To Shock another trial at Bendigo before stepping up to 1600m in Saturday’s Benchmark 100 contest.

“He certainly can win again on Saturday,” Ben Hayes said.

“He was super in the Victoria Cup, a very good win and this is a nice stepping stone for him.”

Hayes said Lindsay Park considered sending Here To Shock north for the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

Here To Shock drew barrier three for the $250,000 race but the big field and the weather forecast convinced the Hayes brothers to keep the gelding in Melbourne.

“We were considering going to the Hawkesbury Cup but there looks like being a lot of rain so the Caulfield race looked the right option,” he said.

“We’ll run here on Saturday then go to the Scone Cup.”

Here To Shock winning the Group 3 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield last month. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Apprentice Celine Gaudray will ride Here To Shock at Caulfield.

Hayes said the stable will immediately test impressive Warrnambool winner La Pleine Lune in city company at his next outing.

La Pleine Lune benefited from the advantage of the inside rail when a nine-length winner at Warrnambool but Hayes said the son of Puissance De Lune was worth a crack at a harder race next start.

“He might have been flattered by the track,” Hayes said.

“But there’s a 1400m race at Flemington shortly that looks a good race for him.

“He travelled like he’d run 1400m so we might head that way with him.”

Ban opens door for Childs on unbeaten galloper

Jordan Childs could benefit from another rider’s bad luck aboard Angland at Saturday’s Caulfield meeting.

Beau Mertens has ridden the three-year-old in his impressive wins at Pakenham to start his career but will miss the ride in the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m) while he serves a careless riding suspension.

Trainer Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr booked Childs to pilot the promising Angland in his city debut at Caulfield.

Childs said he has had one chance to acquaint himself with Angland but the son of Ace High impressed him in a gallop at Pakenham on Tuesday morning.

“I galloped him and had a feel of him and he feels like a nice horse,” Childs said.

“He feels like he’s going well.”

Angland’s two victories were over 1200m last month but the gelding will step up to 1400m in Saturday’s $150,000 contest.

Unbeaten galloper Angland steps up to city grade on Saturday. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Childs said the rise in trip would pose no issue for Angland at Caulfield.

“He’s still learning his craft a bit and has still got room for improvement,” Childs said.

“They really like him and he’s a nice big stride on him and I like the way he goes about his business.”

Angland has drawn barrier two in the Evergreen Turf Handicap, which only boosted Childs’ confidence.

“He’s drawn to get a soft run on Saturday so hopefully he’ll get a soft run in behind them somewhere,” Childs said.

“Hopefully he can finish off over the top of them.”

TAB punters have been keen to support Angland, backing him from $2.90 into $2.70.

Childs has five rides at Caulfield on Saturday.

Childs will ride Zoukerette for leading trainer Ciaron Maher, speedster Philosopher, the Symon Wilde-trained Etara and Fortunate Kiss, from the Daniel Bowman stable.

Originally published as Here To Shock set to hit the road after Caulfield assignment on Saturday