Shocking opens his account; NZ-bred entire Criterion pleases Hayes; Cox Plate winner retired; Collett back on Telepathic; Kiwis out in force at Flemington

Shocking opens his account

Rich Hill Stud celebrated a highly significant victory in Victoria on Friday.

Resident stallion Shocking was credited with his first siring success when his two-year-old son Shockaholic scored over 1100 metres at Echuca for the trainer-rider combination of Matt Laurie and Jake Duffy.

A $75,000 Karaka yearling bred by Raffles Farm, Shockaholic is from the first crop of Shocking, the dual Group One winner of the Melbourne and Australian Cups.

NZ-bred entire Criterion pleases Hayes

Trainer David Hayes has been delighted with Criterion’s preparation for Sunday’s QE II Stakes in Hong Kong.

Owned by New Zealander Sir Owen Glenn, Hayes said the son of Sebring had come through his last-start win in the G.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in fine style.

“Zac Purton thought the horse went terrific in his work this week and he couldn’t believe how quiet and relaxed he was for a colt.

“He physically looks at least the same, if not better, than before the Queen Elizabeth but definitely no worse.”

Criterion has also been entered for three races in England - the Prince Of Wales' Stakes (2000m) and Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot in June and the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (2000m) at Sandown in July.

Cox Plate winner retired

Adelaide has been retired and will stand his first season at $A22,000 at Coolmore Australia this year.

The son of Galileo was left in the care of Chris Waller following his Gr.1 Cox Plate victory for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and was unplaced in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in one subsequent appearance.

"It’s been a pleasure to be associated with a horse of this calibre," Waller said. "It’s a shame the ground went against him in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He hasn’t been 100 per cent since that race."

Collett back on Telepathic

New Zealand jockey Jason Collett will be reunited with the former Kiwi-trained mare Telepathic at Randwick on Saturday.

Collett, who has a full book of rides at the meeting, rode her to a first-up win for Chris Waller three starts back.

"She needs soft ground. She's by Mossman, she's proven in it and she's been looking for it in my opinion," he said.

Kiwis out in force at Flemington

Gifted Lad is one of six New Zealand-bred contenders for Saturday’s Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained son of Zabeel, who was a winner last time out, will be ridden by Brad Rawiller.

General James, Zatopaz, General Zabeel, Montpellier and Prince Of Persia complete the Kiwi attack on the 2800 metre staying feature.