Fast by Name, by Nature

A stakes' place getter in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m), Rockfast (2 c Fastnet Rock - Gypsy Princess, by Sadler's Wells) is a colt that trainer Jason Bridgman feels has the makings of a Guineas' hope.

“I think his strongest attribute is the underlying stamina he has to sustain a high cruising speed,” said Bridgman.

“And while not a natural sprinter, as he steps up beyond 1400 metres we should get a truer line on his ability. Over the 1200 metres he has raced at so far he has been at top speed throughout, whereas when he steps up over longer distances he should be much more inside his comfort zone and be able to show a stronger kick.

“He has matured both mentally and physically between preparations and seen to be moving freely in his work.”

Click here to take in some of "Monza's" (as we know him) trackwork:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mf5calwcj1owohq/2014-07-18%2007.34.42.mov

Placed in each of his three starts at two, Rockfast was bought by Te Akau principal from the draft of Curraghmore Stud for $410,000 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale and while his juvenile exploits were of note he has always shaped as more of a three-year-old type.

“Whilst winless when campaigning as a two-year-old, I do believe it has seen the colt come back a much more professional athlete,” said Bridgman. “We naturally expect the stock of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) to improve at three and we have some lofty ambitions for the horse, centred round the Guineas and Derby.

“He seems to have the scope to become a middle distance horse, while at the forefront of our minds is developing him as a stallion prospect over the shorter distances in his early spring campaign leading up to the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November. A race in which he would likely have two or three lead up runs beforehand.

“Providing he has a fruitful spring, he seems the type of colt we could look further afield with into an autumn campaign leading up to the AJC Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) at Randwick.

“His form at two around some of the leading two-year-olds shows he doesn't need to improve much to step into calculations for New Zealand domestic Group One racing at three and we look forward to the new season,” said Bridgman.

Rockfast is a half-brother to exciting galloper It's Crunch Time (Fusaichi Pegasus), the winner of a $100,000 race at Moonee Valley amongst his six wins from sixteen starts. His grand-dam, Filia Ardross (Ardross), excelled over 2000m as a Champion 3YO Filly in Germany.

At the time purchase from the auction ring at Karaka, Curraghmore Stud boss, Gordon Cunningham said of Rockfast: “He's such a lovely colt, full of quality, has a terrific stride and possesses a fair amount of his dam-sire, which is Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer). He is a really good prospect and I hope he can go on and achieve plenty on the racetrack.”