Queensland Derby Aim for Rough Habit Winner Shocking Luck

Lucy Henderson May 13, 2017

Queensland Derby Aim for Rough Habit Winner Shocking Luck

The 2017 Queensland Derby looks the ideal Group 1 target this winter for visiting Kiwi galloper Shocking Luck who ran away with the Rough Habit Plate win at Doomben on Saturday.

The three-year-old son of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking was second-up in Australia on Doomben 10,000 Day in the last, taking on the locals in the $125,000 Group 3 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m).

Ridden by Opie Bosson, who the race before ran second in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 aboard Counterattack behind the winner Redzel, Shocking Luck was out to atone for his luckless down under debut last time out.

In a slowly run Ipswich race over 1500m on May 1, the gelding was narrowly beaten when second as the odds-on favourite.

He was at longer Rough Habit Plate odds, but got the perfect run in transit sitting around fifth on the rails just off the good pace set by the roughie Sidetrip.

“He was first-up the other day and we were waiting for the 2000m,” winning hoop Bosson said after the victory.

“Today was ideal, he’s an out-and-out stayer and he stayed too good for them.

“He travelled beautifully and cruised up when I wanted him to.”

Sidetrip raced out from wide to lead, while Chris Waller’s last start Frank Packer Plate runner-up Veladero was midfield throughout.

One of the best in betting, the local Brian Smith-trained Order Again was fourth last throughout from the outside alley on the back of a runaway 7.5 length win at Eagle Farm on May 3.

Onto the straight Sidetrip still held a narrow lead, but was quickly tackled by Shocking Luck up on the outside who was running home in excellent fashion.

Showing off a brilliant turn of foot and really letting down over the final 400m, the New Zealand raider stormed clear and had three lengths clear over the runner-up Order Again on the line.

It was a great run from Order Again who gave them a 15 length start and did all the work to get up to second, while the third-placed Veladero was a touch disappointing getting outsprinted in the straight by the winner.

The $600,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) is one of three elite levels held at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Handicap Day, June 10 and is the key target for Shocking Luck going forward during the carnival.

“We thought he was a Queensland Derby sort of horse,” co-trainer Jamie Richards, who prepares the horse in partnership with Stephen Autridge across the Tasman, said post-win on Saturday.

“He’ll go to Hong Kong after the Queensland Derby [for his new connections].

“Hopefully the tracks can continue to improve. We believe he is better on top of the ground.

“Today was a very good run.

“He’s a straight out New Zealand staying horse and we’re really pleased with the way everything’s gone so far.

“He’s always needed ground. He’s only ever won over 2000m and he’s an exciting horse to have in the stable.”

The next traditional Queensland Derby lead-up is the $150,000 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) held at Eagle Farm on Kingsford-Smith Cup Day, May 27, and last year Mackintosh completed the Rough Habit – Grand Prix double.

To get the updated Queensland Derby odds on the best out of this year’s Rough Habit Plate results visit the country’s leading sportsbook Ladbrokes.com.au today.

2017 Rough Habit Plate Results & Finishing Order

Doomben Race 8 – 13/05/2017

Place # Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Br. Wgt. SP
1 14 SHOCKING LUCK (NZ) Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards Opie Bosson 10 57kg $6
2 12 ORDER AGAIN (NZ) Brian Smith Larry Cassidy 2.8L 13 57kg $3.40F
3 1 VELADERO Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 4.6L 8 57kg $3.50
4 4 VIOLATE Brent Stanley Jim Byrne 5.1L 2 57kg $8
5 8 KUBIS Robert Heathcote Robbie Fradd 5.9L 4 57kg $17
6 6 HERE HE COMES (NZ) Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs Leith Innes 6.9L 6 57kg $31
7 15 SIDETRIP Scott Morrisey James Orman 7.9L 11 57kg $151
8 13 HUNDRED Brett Lunney Luke Tarrant 8L 1 57kg $81
9 7 REALING Matthew Dunn Ronnie Stewart 12.5L 3 57kg $31
10 10 SHADOW VISION Kurt Goldman Jeff Lloyd 16.5L 9 57kg $51
11 16 BOUCHARD (NZ) Rochelle Smith Michael Cahill 17.8L 12 55kg $151
12 9 PETER JOHN (NZ) John Sargent Damian Browne 18L 5 57kg $16
13 11 DAZZLE EM SID Matt Kropp Andrew Spinks 18.2L 7 57kg $31
3 MONGOLIAN WOLF Darren Weir Brenton Avdulla 0
5 LET ME SAY THIS Steven O’dea Paul Hammersley 0
2 CAERLESS CHOICE Paul Messara Glen Colless 0

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Horse Racing Today

What are you really gambling with?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au