Fastnet Rock Colt Wins G2 Avondale Guineas

Media Release - Saturday February 20

Well fancied Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) candidate Rocket Spade threw down the gauntlet to his three-year-old rivals when he produced a strong staying performance to capture the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie.

Rocket Spade (outer) produces a powerful late run to take victory in the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained colt had entered Saturday’s vital Derby lead-up as the $4.50 second favourite for the blue riband event in a fortnight and strengthened his claims as he overcame a rocky run in midfield to storm home out wide and claim the major spoils from a number of his potential Derby rivals.

Punters installed the son of Fastnet Rock as a warm favourite to take out the Avondale Guineas off the back of a gritty effort for second against the older horses in an open handicap over 2100m at Te Rapa earlier in the month.

A sensational start to the race, which saw rider Sam Weatherley dislodged from Ulaanbaatar after 100m, threw the event into some chaos with riders taking a hold of a number of runners as the riderless horse made his way to the head of the field.

Rider Craig Grylls had Rocket Spade lobbing along nicely in midfield but spotted leaders Jason Belltree and On Display five lengths turning for home.

Grylls launched his attack at the 200m and slowly wore down the pair to win by a long neck from Jason Belltree with On Display clinging gamely to third ahead of Lord Ardmore and Milford.

O’Sullivan and Scott took out the 2020 edition of the Avondale Guineas with Dragon Leap, who raced in the same Hermitage Thoroughbreds ownership as Rocket Spade, with O’Sullivan believing Rocket Spade has better credentials for the Derby than his former stablemate.

“I think we learnt last year that this year we have a horse who is a little more dour and more likely to run out the distance as opposed to Dragon Leap who was essentially a miler,” O’Sullivan said.

“You just never know until they go the mile and half of the Derby whether they will stay, but on that performance today, I would like to think our guy certainly has the credentials to do that.”

Advertisement

O’Sullivan was particularly pleased with the ride by Grylls who provided a cool, calm and collected effort to secure the victory.

“It was a top ride by Craig as we asked him to ride him in fifth or sixth and just let him find his way into the race,” he said.

“When we arrived on course the horse was a little bit hot, but Craig got him relaxed and in the end, it was a pretty cool ride.

“Overall, it was just a good solid run as he kept on coming and really held them nicely over the final stages.

“The race today should help him as he looked as though there was still a little improvement in him, so come the Derby in a fortnight he will be spot on.

“We’ll take him home and just tick him over and we’re looking forward to coming back for the Derby.”

Bookmakers reacted by tightening Rocket Spade into a $3.50 Fixed Odds quote for the Derby, behind Te Akau Racing runner Amarelinha at $2.50, although the Savabeel filly is yet to be confirmed as a starter in the race.

A $425,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Tyreel Stud draft for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Rocket Spade has now won three of his 7 starts and over $145,000 in prizemoney.

Rocket Spade was bred in Victoria by Sun Stud and is the best of two winners from stakes-placed Affairoftheheart, a half-sister by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) to dual Group I winner Soriano and Group III winner Kaiser Franz.

Affairoftheheart has a yearling colt by Thronum and was covered last spring by another of the Sun Stud sires in National Defense (GB) after missing to him the previous year. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Avondale Guineas Gr2 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 2:12.49
1
Rocket Spade
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Affairoftheheart (NZ) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
Fastnet Rock
2
0.3
Jason Belltree
- 3c Ferlax (NZ) x Warren's Sister (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
3
0.7
On Display
- 3g Showcasing (GB) x Gatestopper (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: D A Walker Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
4
0.9
Lord Ardmore
- 3c Reliable Man (GB) x Outshine (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: S J McKee Rdr: S C Spratt 56.5
5
1.1
Milford
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Etiquette (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
6
2.9
Il Affare
- 3f Dundeel (NZ) x Pennacchio (NZ) (Align (AUS))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: J Parkes 54.5
7
6.2
Tribute King
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x Hill Of Hope (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: D S Johnson 56.5
8
7.0
Edge Of Wonder
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Wonderworld (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
9
7.1
Grip
- 3c Exosphere (AUS) x Pentolite (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: A J Calder 56.5
10
14.0
Ember Attack
- 3g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Dancing Embers (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: P P Mirabelli Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
11
15.7
Zoltan
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Ebony Babe (NZ) (Ebony Grosve (NZ))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 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.
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.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
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.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
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.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
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.
One to Watch – Gosford
He’s big and beautiful and it looks like the patient approach might be about to pay off for this talented I Am Invincible four year-old who won on debut at Gosford on Friday.