Pierro's Rocha Clock Powers Home In Dark Jewel

Mark Smith - Friday May 14

A conspicuous last early, the four-year-old Pierro mare Rocha Clock came with a barnstorming finish down the centre of the track to open her stakes account in the $200,000 Group III Coolmore Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone on Friday.

Under a stone-cold ride by Rachel King, the John O’Shea-trained mare defeated the 4yo Smart Missile mare Missile Mantra by a long neck with the 5yo Pierro mare Reelem In Ruby a half-length back in third.  

“We were a bit concerned in the first 200m, but down the side she got on to the back of a couple,” O’Shea said.

“It was a super ride by Rachel and a good team effort to get her going.

“We have a nice race picked out for her in three weeks time and that will do her for this prep.

Advertisement

“She is in a rich vein of form, a really happy mare racing well.”

It was Rachel King’s third win from as many rides on Rocha Clock.

“She was very relaxed back in the field and it was perfect for her to come wide with s bit of galloping room,” King said.

“I knew from the 600m she was going to be in with a big shout.”

Rocha Clock a $200,000 Easter Yearling

Rocha Clock was recorded as a $200,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft, but when that sale fell through the plan was to send her to New Zealand for the Ready to Run Sale for which she was entered.

At that point, John O’Shea approached Coolmore to purchase her privately given he and Jason Abrahams had been greatly impressed with her at Inglis Easter and the rest is history.

 Rocha Clock advances her record to seven wins, two seconds and a third from 16 starts with earnings of $546,765.

The daughter of Pierro has earned a good chunk of her prizemoney from Inglis sales-related races, highlighted by a win in the $250,000 Inglis Bracelet at Flemington and a second in the $200,000 Inglis Guineas at Rosehill.  

Rocha Clock is the best of five winners from six to race out of the Group II  VRC Wakeful Stakes winner Rocha.

A daughter of Encosta De Lago, Locha is a sister to Blackfriars, Manton, Lion’s Gate and Waterford Road.  

A $400,000 Easter Yearling, Rocha was purchased by James Bester for $320,000 at the National Broodmare Sale.

Rocha has an unraced 2yo filly by Vancouver named Blackcomb and a yearling filly by Caravaggio (USA).

 After missing in 2019, Rocha was covered by Magna Grecia (IRE) last spring.

Rocha Clock becomes the 25th stakes-winner for Pierro, who will stand at Coolmore Stud in the forthcoming season at Coolmore Stud for $110,000.

Pierro

Advertisment

Race Result - Coolmore Dark Jewel Classic Gr3 1400m

Scone Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.70
1
Rocha Clock
- 4m Pierro (AUS) x Rocha (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Rachel King 56.5
Pierro
2
0.4
Missile Mantra
- 4m Smart Missile (AUS) x Wecansay Mak (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tommy Berry 59
Smart Missile
3
0.9
Reelem In Ruby
- 5m Pierro (AUS) x Bobine (USA) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J Parr 59
Pierro
4
2.8
Asiago
- 4m Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Disputes (AUS) (Manton (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
5
2.9
More Prophets
- 4m Smart Missile (AUS) x Set To Skelter (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Tim Clark 54
6
3.2
Jen Rules
- 5m Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Fate Rules (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54.5
7
3.7
Bright Rubick
- 4m Rubick (AUS) x Torah (AUS) (Spinning World (USA))
Tnr: John W Ramsey Rdr: M A Cahill 54
8
4.4
Air To Air
- 4m Smart Missile (AUS) x Honor Net (NZ) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 54
9
4.6
Electric Girl
- 4m Declaration Of War (USA) x Electra (AUS) (Zizou (AUS))
Tnr: Nathan Doyle Rdr: A B Collett 54
10
6.2
Strawb
- 5m Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Joy Toy (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Nathan Doyle Rdr: L Magorrian 54
11
6.7
Holy Empress
- 5m Roman Emperor (NZ) x Holy One (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S I Singleton Rdr: Ms L Day 54
12
6.8
She Shao Fly
- 4m Epaulette (AUS) x Shao Shao (AUS) (Shinko Forest (IRE))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: J Ford 54
13
7.8
Irithea
- 7m Snitzel (AUS) x Kirovskaya (AUS) (French Deputy (USA))
Tnr: C E Conners Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 58
14
9.1
Akari
- 4m Snitzel (AUS) x Asterix (JPN) (Neo Universe (JPN))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: A Adkins 54
15
10.7
Margie Bee
- 5m Dreamscape (AUS) x Strategic Escape (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Buchanan Rdr: Ms M Weir 54
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.