Talented stayer Horrifying caused a minor upset when defeating highly-regarded galloper Berkshire Breeze in the Inside Run Trophy (2530m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The seven-year-old son of Shocking was having his third start for Warrnambool conditioner Lindsey Smith, having previously been trained by Mark and Levi Kavanagh.
Beach life has given Horrifying a new lease on life as he made it back to back victories at Flemington after breaking a long run of outs a fortnight ago when successful over 2000m at the premier Melbourne racecourse.
Horrifying ($9.50) sat outside Berkshire Breeze ($1.45) in a moderately run staying contest and jockey Blake Shinn ensured there was just enough pressure applied to the leader rounding the home bend before Horrifying proved too slick late to score by two and a half lengths.
“We thought we'd be on the speed, similar to the other day,” Smith said.
“Blake thought that he'd be one or two early and he's obviously done his form on this horse. He said he can sprint a little bit and he trusted the horse's fitness.
“Obviously he's back to his best, so that's a good result for the owners and myself and the stable. We didn't change much in the two weeks between runs.
“It was just a case of keeping him happy and that's what we've done down at the beach. Everyone's been happy with him. I think he's done one little bit of bowling in the heavy sand in the 14 days since his last run, so we'll stick to that plan and see what turns up next.”
Winning jockey Blake Shinn notched his first victory at Flemington for the season and was impressed with Horrifying, who has now recorded seven wins from 35 starts with a further eight placings.
“Full credit to the horse and also Lindsey Smith and the team,” Shinn said.
“That was a great effort. It’s great to see the horse returned to form and you know full credit to Lindsey last start but then having to back that up today with a performance up in distance and second-up, it's a great effort.
“We had moderate sectionals for the first part. We sat outside the favourite but we picked it up nicely. He's a good stayer on his day and he displayed a great turn of foot and sustained it to the line.
“He's got more to offer this horse and if they can keep placing him right, he can keep winning.”
Horrifying was bred by Alan Galbraith and was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $70,000 by Lawrence Eales, who raced his dual Group One-winning sire Shocking.
Horrifying is out of the Red Ransom mare Zelt, who herself won twice over middle distances in Australia and is the dam of five winners from nine foals to race.
Zelt is a half-sister to stakes performer Exchanges and is from an international family that features the Gr.1 English 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Cape Verdi.