First G1 Winner for Redwood

Media Release - Saturday December 5

Quality galloper Rock On Wood shed the tag of a Group One winner in waiting in emphatic fashion when he dashed home to take out the Group I Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham bringing a big update for his Karaka bound full sister.

Ryan Elliot is overjoyed as he salutes aboard Rock On Wood after winning the G1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes. Photo Credit: Race Images Grant Matthew

The Leanne Elliot-trained six-year-old had promised plenty at the highest level without being able to convert that into a Group One victory having finished third and fourth, twice, in four prior attempts.

The patiently-handled son of Redwood has made good improvement in his last two campaigns and finally struck the racing luck he needed to make it count on Saturday in the hands of Elliot’s son Ryan.

It was an emotional Leanne Elliot, who shares in the ownership with her mother Jill Ker and sister Yvonne, as she fought back tears while waiting for her son to bring the six-year-old gelding back to the winner’s enclosure after the race.

“It’s just blimmin awesome,” she said.

“I was worried about the (Slow7) track but he went so good.

“He did it tough as he was out three-wide and I was thinking ‘oh no,’ but he was just awesome.

“It’s Ryan’s first Group One as well so that just makes it even better.”

21-year-old Ryan Elliot never panicked when he found himself caught wide during the early running, allowing Rock On Wood to find his feet before asking him to move into contention with 800m to run.

Asked for an effort once balanced in the straight, Rock On Wood sprinted quickly to hit the front before fending off the challenge of race favourite Concert Hall, who tracked him into the straight, by just on a length with pacemaker Deerfield clinging gamely to third.

The laconic hoop took the aftermath in his stride as he paid tribute to Rock On Wood and his mother.

Advertisement

“He’s put in a big effort and done it well,” he said.

“He jumped well and when they pushed up inside him, I thought I’d just stay where I was as there wasn’t any point in going back with him.

“I got a bit of a windbreak from Jonathan Riddell’s horse (Times Ticking) on the corner which helped me out and then he sprinted really well in that ground.

“He was floating around a little bit but that is what he does on a slow track as he needs better ground.

“It is so special to win this for mum as my first winner was on one of hers so for mum to get such a good horse and for me to win a Group One on it is just awesome.”

Rock On Wood is out of the Catcher In The Rye mare Rock On Rye and has now won eight of his 17 starts after being purchased for $26,000 from the Long Acres Stud draft by Ker at the 2016 Festival Yearling Sale at Karaka.

The Redwood gelding was bred by the syndicate that originally raced Rock On Rye out of Peter Rudkin’s Christchurch stable, which included the late great Kiwi rugby league player John O’Sullivan.

A full sister to Rock On Wood will be presented in Book 1 at the forthcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka through the draft of Cambria Park as Lot 75.

Redwood is another sire son of High Chaparral to leave a G1 winner.

Rock on Wood is the first Group I winner for High Chaparral stallion Redwood (GB), who stands at Westbury Stud. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Gr1 1600m

Trentham Track: Slow(7) Time: 1:39.66
1
Rock On Wood
- 6g Redwood (GB) x Rock On Rye (AUS) (Catcher In The Rye (IRE))
Tnr: Ms L Elliot Rdr: R T Elliot 59
NZB Karaka Book 1 $125,000
Seller: Cambria Park
Buyer: John Chalmers Bloodstock
2
1.0
Concert Hall
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Classic Legacy (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 57
3
2.0
Deerfield
- 7g Falkirk (NZ) x The Dazzler (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: S O'Malley 59
4
2.1
Hypnos
- 5g Reliable Man (GB) x Quality Dream (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: D S Johnson 59
5
4.6
Mauna Kea
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x City Class Rose (NZ) (City On A Hill (USA))
Tnr: P R Moseley Rdr: S L Wynne 59
6
5.4
Flying Sardine
- 8m Flying Spur (AUS) x Julez (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: L T Hemi 57
7
5.5
Beefeater
- 8g Alamosa (NZ) x Karaka (NZ) (Kings Island (IRE))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: R H Schofer 59
8
6.0
Aimee's Jewel
- 4m Proisir (AUS) x Aimee's Idol (NZ) (Colombia (NZ))
Tnr: Ms T Keegan Rdr: L J Allpress 57
9
6.2
Times Ticking
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Laoghaire (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A R Macgregor Rdr: J K Riddell 59
10
7.2
Shadows Cast
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Ages Past (NZ) (Slavic (USA))
Tnr: M K Oulaghan Rdr: J Parkes 59
11
10.0
Awesome Al
- 7m Alamosa (NZ) x Awesome (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: B R Lammas Rdr: R J Bishop 57
More Reading...
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.