6 WINS - 24 HOURS: Petite Perfection

Given a great ride by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman, Petite Rocher (4 m Grunt – Little Rock, by Fastnet Rock) broke through for a rewarding victory in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 9 October at Taupo.

Placed in four of seven starts, and having finished well for third when resuming in the Maiden 970 metres on 9 September at Cambridge (poly-track), Petite Rocher had shown promise but needed to overcome drawing barrier 10.

Away well, Hassman pressed forward aboard Petite Rocher before securing a lovely spot in fourth and finished strongly in the straight before lifting to fend off a late challenge. 

“She’s suffered a bit from greenness, but put it all together today and she really found when one came up next to us near the line,” Hassman said.

“We were trapped wide for a bit, but when the tempo came up, we were able to get a nice trail in behind them and it worked out well. 

“She’s still learning her craft, there’s a lot more there and Sam (Bergerson) actually said to me before the race, “I think she can win this”, so he was spot on. 

“It’s a good effort from the team because she’s not an easy mare, but a very well-deserved win today.”

On a warm afternoon in Taupo, Petite Rocher ran 1200 metres in 1:11.9, last 600m in 34.9 (approx.), on Soft5 footing, and paid $12.80 & $3.40 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It’s great to have got the win with her today, especially in the race with the Pearl Series Bonus attached,” said Mark Walker, trainer partner with Sam Bergerson.

“She underwent a wind operation, so she’s had a few issues, and it was a very good ride of Hayley’s to get her across into a nice position from an awkward gate.

“She’s really honing her craft, is very rarely beaten in a tight finish, and is riding so well given the length of time (third season) she’s been riding. 

“It’s great for the owners’ patience to get a win and hopefully that will give her confidence up in grade.”

Owned by the Te Akau Little Rock Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Petite Rocher was bought by Sir David Ellis for $120,000, from the draft of Brighthill Farm, at the 2024 Karaka Book 2 Sale. 

Grunt, by Champion Sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon), was a first-class racehorse and dual Group One winner of the Australian Guineas (1600m) and Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

Grunt is from the impressive winning (2000m – 2100m) NZ mare Ruqqaya (Van Nistelrooy), a half-sister to five-time Group One winner and successful stallion Ocean Park (Thorn Park), who, including Grunt and Group Two Zayydani (Savabeel), left five individual winners of 20 races and over $3 million in stakes.

It's an absolutely top-drawer family and Grunt not only proved himself as one of the best three-year-olds in Australia, but made an immediate impact as a sire. 

Petite Rocher's dam Little Rock is a three-quarter sister to Valentia (Fastnet Rock), a Group Two winner and dual Group placed colt, now standing at stud in Australia.

At the time of purchase, Sir David said: “It’s very exciting to be able to buy a filly by this New Zealand bred stallion that has made such a great start to his stud career, and also on this cross (Grunt/Fastnet Rock) which is proving quite a revelation. 

“He was an outstanding racehorse Grunt, one of the best in Australia, and his son Veight has created a huge impression.

“This filly is a classic example of both Grunt and Fastnet Rock in her physical makeup, beautifully balanced, and just looks every bit a racehorse.

“It is top quality blood on both sides of the family and she’s been prepared on a farm (Brighthill Stud) that is doing a fantastic job with both their sires and preparing horses for sale.”

Petite Rocher carries a cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer through her sire-lines and also has a strong influence of terrific sire Pompeii Court, who instilled quality into his progeny especially the fillies. 

Petite Rocher was strapped by Mahesh Kumar.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz