It’s time to shock them Ova

Alex Rae has been playing the patient game with his promising stayer Shock ‘Em Ova, but said it’s time to pull the trigger on him.

Shock ‘Em Ova returns to racing for the first time in 2024 when he competes in the Benchmark 100 1400m event at Caulfield on Saturday.

“Everyone has been so patient with him so far, being a five-year-old who has only made nine starts,” Rae said.

Shock ‘Em Ova has won four of her nine starts. In his last three starts he won consecutive restricted races at Caulfield before finishing third in the Rosehill Cup.

“There were never any issues that led to his lack of racing.

“We’ve always thought about the big picture with him and this is his time to shine.

“His whole program was designed to go to Queensland.”

WATCH: Progressive stayer Shock ‘Em Ova in full flight.

Should he perform well on Saturday, Rae intends to follow the same path as Without A Fight last year by competing in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) on June 1 and then in the Q22 (2200m) on June 15 all two in Eagle. Farm.

“We’ve been patient with him and if we ever have to pull the trigger, it’s now because he seems to be doing better than ever,” Rae said.

“There’s a lot of water to get under the bridge but we think he’s a very classy galloper.

“If he can continue to improve, I would love to do that.”

Rae said all signs suggested Shock ‘Em Ova had returned to work as the better horse.

“He continued to develop physically,” he said.

“It is a credit to its owners to be by Shocking.

“He’s such a big horse when he gets to his fifth and sixth year, now we have a very strong Shock ‘Em Ova who hasn’t had a bad day in his life.”