Fifth Stakes Winner for Shocking

Mark Smith - Sunday October 8

Winless in 13 starts since breaking her maiden at Ballarat in March last year, the Murray Johnson-trained Pure Pride was made third emergency in Saturday's Paris Lane Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.

The 5yo daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking gained a start with the late scratchings and made it count when coming with a barnstorming finish to defeat Wyndspelle by two lengths with Saint Valorem a length away third. (photo Grant Courtney).


With just one horse behind him on the turn, Stephen Baster made the decision to stick to the fence and ride for luck.

It came soon after, spearing between runners, Pure Pride accelerated impressively to earn her first stakes victory much to the delight of trainer Murray Johnson.

"I don't have many horses to be running in these races, so it's awesome," he said.

Baster said he feared the mares run of bad luck might continue.

"Murray and the owners have suffered a bit with this mare over the years, she has not had much luck and today I thought it was going to be the same," Baster said.

"But she got the split a furlong out and exploded."

"Great job by Murray".

Passed in when failing to make her $15,000 reserve as a weanling, Pure Pride advances her record to 2 wins 2 seconds and 1 third from 16 starts with earnings of $163,810.

A half-sister to stakes-placed Acquisto (Thewayyouare), Pure Pride is the second foal of the three-time winning Shinko King mare Mamasan a sister to Group III winner Madame Shinko from the family of Group I Honda Stakes winner Pontormo (Chem).

Mamasan was purchased by Murray Thoroughbreds for $30,000 at the 2012 NZ Bloodstock National Broodmare Sale.

She has a 2yo colt by Shocking and was covered by Unencumbered last spring after missing to that stallion the previous year.

Pure Pride becomes the fifth stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud's Shocking (Street Cry) where he stands at a fee of 12,500 +gst.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.