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By Ray Hickson

Seven seems to be the lucky number when it comes to age in racing circles this year and Ben Hayes hopes his seven-year-old Here To Shock can win the biggest race of his career at that age at Randwick on Tuesday.

Ben Hayes (Pic: Bradley Photos)

While Here To Shock’s achievement if he is to win the Listed $3 million Big Dance (1600m) won’t quite be as significant on a racing scale to others of his generation to hit the headlines in recent weeks it will be to his connections who are enjoying the ride of their life.

The luminaries to blossom at seven have been, of course, Via Sistina with her Cox Plate win and TAB Everest champ Bella Nipotina while another of our stars Pride Of Jenni won her Queen Elizabeth Stakes rising seven and has been Group 1 placed this spring.

Hayes, who co-trains with brothers JD and Will, said Here To Shock has already been a great horse for his owners with just under $2 million in prizemoney and there’s no reason to think he can’t add to it.

“Horses sometimes get better with age and that’s what this guy has done,’’ Hayes said.

“He’s continued to improve but I couldn’t tell you why he’s improved.

“He enjoys going the Sydney way, he has a great record going in that direction, and it’s a great opportunity to run for really good money.”

Nash Rawiller has been on board Here To Shock in his two recent wins, the Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle that earned him Big Dance eligibility and his victory in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes both at 1400m.

Those wins saw him lumped with 62kg but interestingly Rawiller's mount in last year’s Big Dance, Cepheus, finished runner-up with the same weight and jumping from the same inside barrier.

“Hopefully he can settle just behind the speed, Nash knows him very well know, and we’ll need a little luck in the straight and if he gets it he’ll be really competitive,’’ Hayes said.

“He’s a horse that naturally puts himself up on speed.

“Arguably when he has cover he’s run his best races, there’ll be natural pressure with a lot of light weight chances in the race which will use that to their advantage.”

There’s one query in Hayes’ mind and it has nothing to do with the weight in isolation. It’s about the Randwick mile plus the weight.

Here To Shock, $5 with TAB on Monday, has won twice at 1600m, once early in his career with 62.5kg in a Benchmark 64 and the other with 54.5kg in the Listed Bendigo Mile and he said the Big Dance will be a considerably more difficult assignment.

“He’s really good, we’re very happy with him. He’s done everything correct and is in career best form,’’ he said.

Here To Shock wins the Alan Brown Stakes

“He has an inside draw which I think will help him as he has a slight query at the mile. If he gets a nice, soft, run he should be hitting the line strong carrying that big weight.

“His last start was fantastic and he came through that well, his final piece of work was excellent and he’s a happy horse.”

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday’s Big Dance meeting at Randwick