Shock NZ Cup interest

By Adam Hamilton

TALK has switched to the New Zealand Cup with buzz Aussie pacer Shockwave.

The gun four-year-old was being set for the Sydney Inter Dominion, but with that now postponed, connections are looking very seriously at the NZ Cup.

“We’ve talked about the NZ Cup, I know the trainer (Ryan Bell) would love to give it a shot, even though the horse hasn’t contested a standing race as yet,” managing owner Kevin Jeavons said.

“We’ve got a lot of thinking to do. Sydney was obviously the main aim this year and it’s disappointing that’s not happening.

“I think it’s sad for the sport, way above our own interests, that we won’t have an Inter Dominion this year.

“So the NZ Cup becomes an option, a real option. There’s no other features races we’d really consider leaving home for between now and the Miracle Mile, only the NZ Cup.”

Shockwave was luckless through the big two WA races – Fremantle and WA Cups in January – but since stamped himself as the state’s best horse and one of the most exciting in Australia.

With the Inter Dominion off and no other really major Aussie open-class races before Christmas, NZ officials appear to have a huge opportunity if they can maintain significant stakemoney for the NZ Cup and NZ free-for-all.

No doubt Shockwave is just one of many top horses at least being considered for an NZ Cup raid, pending stakemoney money levels.