Before a crowd of more than 100,000 at Flemington for Australia's biggest sports event, Shocking was at his best on short notice. The 4-year-old colt also won Saturday in what trainer Mark Kavanagh called a "tuneup" race.
"He was so good on Saturday and he improved," Kavanagh told Australian TV. "He improved since that run and his preparation was timed to perfection."
Despite the name, Shocking was among the favorites at 9-1. With Corey Brown aboard, the colt raced three wide for most of the 2 miles, then took the lead with about 200 yards to go and held off Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed's Crime Scene, a 40-1 long shot. Shocking is a son of Street Cry, a stallion owned by Sheik Mohammed.
Mourilyan, owned by Chechen President Ramazan Kadyrov, was another 2 1/4 lengths back for third in a large 23-horse field.
The victory was a bit of redemption for Brown, who finished second in last year's Melbourne Cup aboard Bauer, beaten a nose by Viewed.
"In the back of my mind I didn't think I could win, but once I got to about the 300 (meter mark) I thought I was a winner," Brown said. "I wish everyone could experience the feeling that I'm having right now be cause it's just unbelievable."
Master O'Reilly was fourth, followed by Harris Tweed, favorite Alcopop and Viewed.
