Little Avondale Stud stallion Time Test enjoyed another good result in the northern hemisphere as German Guineas runner-up Rocchigiani showed his class to land the Gr.3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (1600m) at Goodwood.
Last term's Gr. 3 Zukunfts Rennen (1400m) victor, who ran fifth in the Gr. 3 Jersey Stakes (1400m) at Royal Ascot last time, was positioned in second as Norway's Norsk 2000 Guineas hero Hotline Bling established a clear lead through halfway in an international affair.
The well-backed Rocchigiani quickened smartly to seize control approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to bravely hold The Wizard Of Eye and Sonny Liston by 3/4-of-a-length.
“Rocchigiani is a nice horse, he travelled well in the race and the pace was good for him,” said winning German trainer Peter Schiergen.
“His form in Germany was very good, he's a speed horse and he likes leading horses. The owners [Stall Domstadt] like Goodwood and always come here and this is my first winner here today.
“We have not had many runners and it is not easy to do. I looked from race to race after Royal Ascot and we will chat about what to do now. His last race was seven furlongs, but the mile is a little better for him. Maybe we will come back to England next.”
Rocchigiani is one of five stakes winners for Time Test who shuttles to Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand from the National Stud where his oldest crop are two-year-olds and have made a favourable impression headed by stakes winner Leedox and stakes-placed Timeless.
He stands for a fee of $10,000+GST.
