Shockwave is a speed machine
Brilliant four-year-old Shockwave is a speed machine, according to reinsman Aiden de Campo.
“I am just happy to be behind him (in the sulky),” said de Campo after driving the wonderfully placid stallion to an effortless victory in the $25,000 Intersport Slater Gartrell Pace over 21130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“His point-to-point high speed is outstanding, and he probably could have gone quicker. I didn’t pull the plugs or hit him. It’s good to have a horse who demands such respect that he can roll to the front, and once he’s in front and gets away with a 61-second half like we did tonight he can whip home pretty quick.”
Shockwave, prepared by Ryan Bell and favourite at $1.10, began smartly from barrier four and got to the front from the polemarker Chiaroscuro after 200m. After leisurely opening quarters of the final mile in 30.7sec. and 30.6sec. Shockwave was not extended in sprinting over the final quarters in 28.1sec. and 26.8sec. to beat Chiroscuro by just under two lengths at a 1.56.3 rate over 2130m.
“If you go back through his record, he’s always done it tough,” said Bell. “These runs (in front) are good for his confidence. He is getting it so easy, with the respect he’s getting. But because he is getting it so easy, we might have to keep going with him.
“He’s getting it too easy, but we’re not complaining. He’s such a gross horse that we need to keep him racing and to keep him up to the mark.
“Regarding the plans to take him to Brisbane for a couple of big feature events in July, we will have to sit down and see what is going on with the coronavirus situation. However, it’s still early days yet.”
