Shocking Changingoftheguard David Hayes

Herald Sun
Nathan Exelby
Thursday, 18 February 2010

SHOCKING continues his bid to transform from handicapper to weight-for-age star in tomorrow's St George Stakes.

Shocking holds a lofty position in Australian Cup betting, but the market is likely to take on an entirely new look after the St George, with most of the key chances running.

Shocking, who opened at $18 for the St George, ran last when resuming in the Orr Stakes, but the slow tempo was a disadvantage and Kavanagh was more than pleased with the run over the unsuitable 1400m.

"His sectionals were exceptional and he's going as good as he's ever gone," Kavanagh said.

"Hopefully he will be coming to his best for the Australian Cup, but if he's going to do that he needs to step up here."

Kavanagh believes 1800m may still be a touch short at this stage and feels conditions are made to order for rival Heart Of Dreams.

"He is a Group 1 Underwood winner over the track and distance, has a Yalumba second to Whobegotyou and ran second to Typhoon Tracy in the Orr. He's got to be favourite and he's got to be very hard to beat," Kavanagh said.

Heart Of Dreams is $3 for the St George and has also been strongly supported to win the Australian Cup.

Another well tried Australian Cup candidate is Changingoftheguard ($21 into $14), who makes his Australian debut in the St George.

The former Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Montjeu was scratched from last year's Melbourne Cup, much to the disgust of new trainer David Hayes, who was later fined for referring to Racing Victoria officials as "knuckleheads" over the incident.

Changingoftheguard ($10) worked alongside recent Flemington winner Our Aqaleem last week, with rider Glen Boss declaring him the "real deal".

Boss's comments prompted a stream of money for the expensive import and Hayes is anticipating a big run.

"His work at Sandown with Our Aqaleem told me there's no problem. He's up to the class," Hayes said.