Waikato Winning Part 2

After winning the first race on the Waikato Racing Club's Wednesday meeting with 3YO filly Vive La Difference, it was the turn of 3YO colt Rockfast to make it back to back wins for the Te Akau team -

Stakes' placed at two and stylish winning a recent trial, Rockfast (3c Fastnet Rock - Gypsy Princess, by Sadler's Wells) broke through with an impressive fresh up victory over 1200 metres for the Te Akau 2013 Breeding Syndicate on September 10 at Te Rapa.

“It was terrific from him today,” said trainer Jason Bridgman. “These Fastnet Rock's they improve so much between two and three. When David Ellis bought this horse at Karaka, I thought this is a horse that will probably run at two. I took him to the races, probably too soon for him but he showed he had natural ability. We then put him aside, looked after him and hopefully it's onwards and upwards."

Rockfast had bagged two seconds and a third in three juvenile starts, including runner-up in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m), and showed to have taken the next step in his Aug. 26 trial victory.

“He had such a soft trial win at Te Teko, we brought him forward to here and it gives us plenty of time to get ready for Hawkes Bay,” said Bridgman, referring to the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on October 4 at Hastings.

TAB bookmakers were quick to sharpen their pencils following the three length win, trimming his quote from $21 to $14 for the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Nov. 8 at Riccarton.

After a collected ride to win the first race on the programme aboard stable-mate Vive La Difference (Choisir), jockey Matt Cameron again played the patient game. Rockfast cleared the gates smartly before being steadied to settle seventh and six lengths astern at the 600 metres. He travelled up ominously behind runners on straightening and once across heels at the 200m he raced away.

Justifying his $1.80 tote price in the manner of victory, Rockfast covered the 1200 metres 1:11.05, last 600m in 36.3, on footing rated Dead5.

“They went hard into the first corner and I took a sit, getting him to do things properly, looking to a mile later on, and it was good for him to attack the line that quick and do it easily,” said Cameron.

“We were a bit guilty of riding him upside down in the stakes' race; we went to the front and it was probably a bit too much when he didn't know enough. But, now, he went to the trials and got back and did everything perfectly and today was the same thing. He got the split when he needed to and finished it off well."

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.  He is part of a four colt breeding syndicate and the first to salute the judge.

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 eighteen 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."

Not to be outdone with three Waikato Racing Club Board members being part owners of Vive La Difference, Board Director Glenn Holmes was on hand to see this colt (in whom he and his wife Catherine have a share) win so stylishly.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz