Caulfield Cup Goal for Fastnet Rock Blueblood

Tara Madgwick - Saturday August 13

Entered for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, imported Fastnet Rock gelding Surefire (GB) staked his claim for spring success with an eye-catching finish to win over just 1400m at Rosehill on Saturday.

Surefire wins at Rosehill in some world famous colours - image Steve Hart

Having his first start since finishing unplaced in the Sydney Cup on a bottomless heavy track, the Chris Waller trained Surefire showed a brilliant turn of foot to surge home and win by a length for James McDonald.

Group III placed last time, Surefire was a three time winner in the UK before coming to Australia and has the overall record of five wins and two placings from just nine starts and is obviously a horse going places.

“Obviously he’s a very  talented horse and has a good spring ahead of him and to do it like that first up over 1400m was very good,” said Chris Waller, who later indicated the Caulfield Cup was the prime spring target.

“He lost a bit of form at the end last time when it was so wet as did a lot of horses as it takes away their brilliance.

Advertisement

“I’d like to see him this preparation at 2400m or even a bit further this time and he could be winning some big races.”

Surefire races for a partnership of Waller stable clients and his breeder Juddmonte Farms in whose colours he runs.

A half-brother to Group winner Button Down and stakes-winner Platitude, Surefire is one of seven winners from stakes-winner Modesta, a half-sister to Group I winning champions Reams of Verse and Elmaamul as well as the dam of champion mare Midday.

Surefire is not a stakes-winner yet, but looks as though he will be by the end of spring!

Advertisment

Race Result - Bankstown Sports Hcp 1400m

Rosehill Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:23.88
1
Surefire
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Modesta (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
2
1.0
Titanium Power
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Dalkeith (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J Ford 52
3
2.3
Oscar Zulu
- 5g Epaulette (AUS) x Ininthree (NZ) (Generous (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
4
2.8
True Detective
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Girls Rule (AUS) (Geiger Counter (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Reece Jones 52.5
5
3.0
No Compromise
- 6g Pins (AUS) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 57
6
3.6
Arctic Thunder
- 5m Headwater (AUS) x Arctic Success (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
7
7.3
Poetic Charmer
- 8g Your Song (AUS) x Hoss Amor (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
8
14.5
Mugatoo
- 8g Henrythenavigator (USA) x Elopa (GER) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 62
More Reading...
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.