Back to Back in Mornington Cup Prelude for Defibrillate

Media Release - Saturday February 26

Smart Kiwi stayer Defibrillate was back in winning form when successful in the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Patrick Payne.

Defibrillate wins the Mornington Cup Prelude - image Grant Courtney

The son of Shocking, who sports the colours of his original trainer Graham Richardson, lumped topweight of 60kgs to score an impressive win in the hands of Billy Egan.

It was the second year in a row the seven-year-old gelding had won the Mornington Cup Prelude and his fourth win from six starts at Caulfield, advancing his overall record to 10 wins from 23 starts and A$680,000 in prizemoney.

Advertisement

Defibrillate travelled beautifully throughout back near the rear of the field under a patient Egan ride and after angling into the clear on the corner packed too many punches for the well-supported favourite Desert Icon to score by 1¼ lengths, with Criminal Code back in third.

“The race just unfolded perfectly for me and I just had to be patient and keep him balanced and just get him through there smoothly,” Egan said.

“He’s probably going quite similarly to last year, he just went down a different path over the spring trying to get him out over a few Cup distances, 2400 (metres), but we probably found out he’s a nice 2000-metre horse and we just had to get him back to his natural best distance.”

With that in mind, a potential target for Defibrillate could be another tilt at the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington next month, a race in which he finished sixth last year, beaten just 1.7 lengths.

Defibrillate was sent to the Plumpton stable of Patrick Payne in 2019 after winning two of his three starts for Richardson in New Zealand.

Richardson is part of a large syndicate of owners, including close friends Lance O’Sullivan and Brendon McCullum.

The Matamata trainer bred Defibrillate, a son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking and Groom Dancer mare Our Chickaroonie with Graeme and Linda McInteer. He is a half-brother to the stakes winning Bertolini mare Italian Princess, whom Richardson also trained.

There are ten yearlings by Shocking in the forthcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, which commence at Karaka on March 7. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Neds Mornington Cup Prelude LR 2000m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 2:02.66
1
Defibrillate
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Our Chickaroonie (NZ) (Groom Dancer (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 60
NZB Karaka Book 2 $15,000
Seller: Rich Hill Stud
Buyer: Eales Racing
2
1.3
Desert Icon
- 6g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Plume Rose (GB) (Marchand De Sable (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damien Thornton 55.5
3
1.7
Criminal Code
- 5g Maschino (AUS) x Pale (AUS) (Ad Valorem (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Prebble 54.5
4
2.4
Ziegfeld
- 5g New Approach (IRE) x Maid To Dream (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
5
3.6
Port Guillaume
- 5g Le Havre (IRE) x Keira (FR) (Turtle Bowl (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: L Nolen 59
6
3.8
Wyclif
- 5h Archipenko (USA) x Altruiste (GB) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 54
7
7.1
English King
- 5g Camelot (GB) x Platonic (GB) (Zafonic (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Jye McNeil 54.5
8
19.1
Dirty Deeds
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Purple Vein (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Zahra Rdr: M J Dee 54
More Reading...
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.