Handy Harry
05-09-2004, 09:57
Rock on a roll for the spring
By RAY THOMAS
05sep04
THE jockey describes him as awesome, the trainer says he is special, and the owners say money cannot buy him.
Meet Fastnet Rock, the emerging superstar of Australian racing.
If that seems a little over-hyped, then watch the replay of Fastnet Rock's win in the Group 3 $100,000 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm yesterday.
The three-year-old colt defeated arch rival Charge Forward so easily that nothing seems beyond him this spring.
In the aftermath of yesterday's win, trainer Paul Perry was nonchalantly reeling off Group 1 targets for Fastnet Rock as if they were midweek class events. The Dubai Racing Club Cup, the Caulfield Guineas, even the Cox Plate and Victoria Derby are on the agenda for this exciting equine blueblood.
"He's in all those races and the horse will tell us how far he'll go this spring. But the way he is shaping up, he's good enough to go for them," Perry said.
No one could doubt the trainer after Fastnet Rock ($2 fav) thrashed Charge Forward ($3.20) by almost three lengths. Star Cat ($6) led early and hung on bravely for third another two lengths back.
Perry has trained a string of outstanding gallopers over the years, most notably Choisir, who beat the world's best sprinters in England last year.
When asked to compare Choisir with Fastnet Rock, Perry was straight to the point.
"Choisir was a speed machine, but there's more scope to Fastnet Rock," he said.
"Every race this horse just keeps improving. He's settling so well in his races now that I'm confident he will get over ground later in the spring.
"I think he's pretty special -- the sky is the limit with him."
Perry confirmed Fastnet Rock would head to Melbourne and was likely to contest the Dubai Racing Club Cup (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19.
"We've got races like the Cox Plate in mind for him and we'll have a better idea when he takes on the older horses in Melbourne," Perry said.
Fastnet Rock is owned by Coolmore Stud. Considering the colt's breeding (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus), the worldwide breeding conglomerate has a potential sire sensation, as well as a champion racehorse in the making.
"We'd never sell him. Even without a Group 1 win yet, this colt is already worth at least 10 million," said Coolmore's Duncan Grimley.
Herald Sun
By RAY THOMAS
05sep04
THE jockey describes him as awesome, the trainer says he is special, and the owners say money cannot buy him.
Meet Fastnet Rock, the emerging superstar of Australian racing.
If that seems a little over-hyped, then watch the replay of Fastnet Rock's win in the Group 3 $100,000 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm yesterday.
The three-year-old colt defeated arch rival Charge Forward so easily that nothing seems beyond him this spring.
In the aftermath of yesterday's win, trainer Paul Perry was nonchalantly reeling off Group 1 targets for Fastnet Rock as if they were midweek class events. The Dubai Racing Club Cup, the Caulfield Guineas, even the Cox Plate and Victoria Derby are on the agenda for this exciting equine blueblood.
"He's in all those races and the horse will tell us how far he'll go this spring. But the way he is shaping up, he's good enough to go for them," Perry said.
No one could doubt the trainer after Fastnet Rock ($2 fav) thrashed Charge Forward ($3.20) by almost three lengths. Star Cat ($6) led early and hung on bravely for third another two lengths back.
Perry has trained a string of outstanding gallopers over the years, most notably Choisir, who beat the world's best sprinters in England last year.
When asked to compare Choisir with Fastnet Rock, Perry was straight to the point.
"Choisir was a speed machine, but there's more scope to Fastnet Rock," he said.
"Every race this horse just keeps improving. He's settling so well in his races now that I'm confident he will get over ground later in the spring.
"I think he's pretty special -- the sky is the limit with him."
Perry confirmed Fastnet Rock would head to Melbourne and was likely to contest the Dubai Racing Club Cup (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19.
"We've got races like the Cox Plate in mind for him and we'll have a better idea when he takes on the older horses in Melbourne," Perry said.
Fastnet Rock is owned by Coolmore Stud. Considering the colt's breeding (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus), the worldwide breeding conglomerate has a potential sire sensation, as well as a champion racehorse in the making.
"We'd never sell him. Even without a Group 1 win yet, this colt is already worth at least 10 million," said Coolmore's Duncan Grimley.
Herald Sun