With the benefit of hindsight, we take a look at how to read the race book form of the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.
Trainer – Although he only started training at Flemington in 2007, Mark Kavanagh quickly became one of Australia's leading trainers with horses such as Devil Moon, Maldivian and Whobegotyou.
Jockey – Sydney based jockey Corey Brown has been a runner-up twice in the Cup, last year on Bauer by the narrowest of margins. He was due.
Rating - there are two here, the International 105 and the Techform 98. Has virtually no relevance in this race. Unlike other countries, Australia does not take into account the rating system when handicapping, each race is taken on its own merits and horses are weighted at the discretion of the handicapper, so it's all academic. However, a techform rating of 98 is very high, the only horse to be rated higher (100) was last years winner Viewed.
Rating - there are two here, the International 105 and the Techform 98. Has virtually no relevance in this race. Unlike other countries, Australia does not take into account the rating system when handicapping, each race is taken on its own merits and horses are weighted at the discretion of the handicapper, so it's all academic. However, a techform rating of 98 is very high, the only horse to be rated higher (100) was last years winner Viewed.
Barrier – The saddlecloth number is 21, but the number in brackets next to the weight (22) is the barrier. This number was randomly drawn. Starting out wide usually isn't a problem for horses carrying such a low weight.
Weight – 51kgs is a light weight for a Cup runner. Most winners in recent years have carried 50-56kgs, it takes an exceptional horse to carry more.
Weight – 51kgs is a light weight for a Cup runner. Most winners in recent years have carried 50-56kgs, it takes an exceptional horse to carry more.
Gear – (Blks) means the horse has Blinkers (USA Blinders) on. In a big field this can be a good thing as it stops the horse from being distracted by what's going on behind it.
Starts – 14 starts is about average for a four year old racehorse in Australia. Winner at four starts, has only finished out of the placings in 3 starts, and never at 2000m or more. Super consistent and can handle all types of going.
Lead Up Form – Placed twice behind Alcopop in September & October. Alcopop started one of the favourites in the Cup but had probably peaked too early to succeed, is one to watch again this year.
While it's hard to fault Shocking's form at Caulfield and Moonee Valley, looks like he's better suited to the roomy conditions of Flemington, his home track. An impressive win in the Lexus just four days earlier, eased up and clearly had loads of gas left in the tank. The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of the few times you will see several horses backing up within a few days.
While it's hard to fault Shocking's form at Caulfield and Moonee Valley, looks like he's better suited to the roomy conditions of Flemington, his home track. An impressive win in the Lexus just four days earlier, eased up and clearly had loads of gas left in the tank. The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of the few times you will see several horses backing up within a few days.
Comments – take them or leave them, sometimes the comments can help you pinpoint an element of the form you might have missed. Not in this case. Of course, these comments are often written at 3am by a bleary eyed form analyst with only a cigarette and a bottle of Jack for company. Sometimes they don't even know what the final field is going to be and so have to write comments on 30 horses - we can't be too hard on him. What he meant to say was the last winner to back up from a win on Saturday was Brew (we know the Melbourne Cup is a Group 1, but thanks anyway.)
Summary - Shocking had every reason to be included in at least the top five chances. Was the result a 'Shock'? Not to us.
