Racing: Shocking at peak for cup

Trainer Mark Kavanagh says Shocking is peaking at the right time for the Australian Cup as jockey Michael Rodd prepares for his first ride in the group one feature on the Melbourne Cup winner at Flemington today.

Kavanagh said Shocking was a run short last start when sixth, second-up, in the St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield and had trained on as he would have hoped the past two weeks heading into today.

"It was an encouraging run last start but I have trained him to keep improving and to be ready for the day," Kavanagh said.

"Last start, I thought he was going to win on the turn but his condition gave out the last 100m, but he has come on from that."

Shocking hasn't raced at Flemington since winning last year's Melbourne Cup and would emulate past Melbourne Cup winners Let's Elope (1992) and Makybe Diva (2005) if he was to win the Australian Cup.

- AAP