There have been few more revered racehorses to come out of New Zealand than Rough Habit so it seems fitting the kiwis, both equine and human, should dominate the finish of Saturday's Group III Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben.
Opie Bosson guided the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Shocking Luck to a two and three-quarter length win over the Brian Smith-trained Order Again, who was ridden by Larry Cassidy, with the Chris Waller-trained Veladero a length a three-quarters back in third.
A son of Rich Hill Stud's Melbourne Cup hero Shocking (Street Cry), Shocking Luck has been sold to Hong Kong interests.
However, Richards is hoping to follow the path of Eagle Way who won the 2016 Group I Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm before heading to Hong Kong.
It is expected that Shocking Luck will have his next run in the Group III Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm on May 27.
"We always thought he was a Queensland Derby horse - he ran very well in the Waikato Guineas at home and subsequently he was sold to Hong Kong," Richards said.
"He will go to Hong Kong after the Queensland Derby but hopefully he can win that for us first.
"With a bit of luck the tracks will improve as I believe he is better on top of the ground.
"He is a very exciting horse, a straight-out New Zealand staying type horse, a big skinny horse."
Shocking Luck is the first foal of Shamardal Luck (Shamardal) whose dam Colour Me Lucky (Is it True) was placed in the Group II WA Oaks.
Colour Me Lucky is a half-sister to Group I Australian Cup winner Starstruck so Shamardal Luck looked particularly good buying at the 2010 NZB National Mixed Sale when knocked down to the Archer Trust for $5,000.
She had been sold two years previously as a yearling for $72,500.
Shamardal Luck has a full sister to Shocking Luck sell for $32,000 at this year's Select Sale at Karaka.
She has a weanling colt by Darci Brahma and was bred back to Shocking last spring.
Shocking Luck becomes the fourth stakes winner for Shocking (pictured) who stands at Rich Hill Stud at a fee of $12,500
