Guineas' Contender Pleases

The Informant's Richard Edmunds writes:

He may not have the profile of some of the Te Akau runners to have made the trip south before him, but Rockfast should not be underestimated in Saturday's Gr. 1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

The Fastnet Rock colt is rated a $12 chance for the Guineas, seventh favourite behind Hawke's Bay Guineas winner Turn Me Loose at $3.20.

But trainer Jason Bridgman is pleased with Rockfast's preparation leading into the $400,000 classic. In his last start he finished a close second to the highly rated Elvis at Trentham on October 25.

“He's come through Wellington very well and I'm happy with him,” said Bridgman, who has previously won the Guineas with Rock ‘N' Pop and finished second with Chambord last year.

Rockfast was placed in all three starts as a two-year-old including the Listed Reid & Harrison Slipper at Matamata. He resumed this season with a dominant three-length win at Te Rapa (main picture) before finishing a solid sixth in the Hawke's Bay Guineas and rounding off his preparation with the runner-up finish at Trentham.

Bridgman believes Rockfast is crying out for more ground and will relish the step up to 1600 metres on Saturday.

“He's certainly been ready for a mile for about a month now,” he said. “I think the 1600 metres on a big roomy track like Riccarton will be very good with him. Maybe just a little bit of rain to take the fire out of the track a bit between now and Saturday will increase his chances.”

Fingers crossed for a decent draw today!