Kiwi Sprinter Downs Nature Strip in Champions Sprint

Media Release - Saturday November 5

The Michael Moroney-trained Roch 'N' Horse has reiterated her class with a second Group One victory at Flemington when defeating Nature Strip in the A$3 million Darley Champions Sprint (1200m).

Roch 'n' Horse wins G1 Champions Sprint - image Grant Courtney

The daughter of Per Incanto has hardly put a foot wrong since transferring across the Tasman earlier this year from Moroney’s Matamata stable, where he trains in partnership with Pam Gerard.

Despite being a Group One performer in her homeland, Roch 'N' Horse was sent out a 100-1 outsider when she landed the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight earlier this year, and she repeated the dose when defeating a star studded cast at weight-for-age on Saturday.

Advertisement

Global star Nature Strip fought on well for second but had no excuses, with Baller, who had narrowly defeated Roch 'N' Horse in the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) earlier in the preparation franking that form when third.

Fellow Kiwi mare Levante ran another blinder down the Flemington straight to finish fourth, the same position the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare had finished behind Roch 'N' Horse in the Newmarket in March.

Ridden by Jamie Mott, Roch 'N' Horse ($20) raced forward of midfield and found plenty under pressure to defeat Australia's champion sprinter Nature Strip ($1.75 favourite) by a short neck.

Just a length and a half covered the first 10 horses across the line in a thrilling Champions Sprint but it was the green and gold colours of Little Avondale Stud’s six-year-old mare that were to the fore at the post.

Roch 'n' Horse owners celebrate - image Grant Courtney

In doing so, she joins the likes of Black Caviar and Miss Andretti as mares to win the Champions Sprint under the weight-for-age conditions.

"It was a great effort. When you watch the replay, she just kept coming and hanging on in there," Moroney said.

"For a while there I thought they would sprint away from her, but she just hung onto them and then really bulldogged to the finish.

“I have got a lot of people to thank but I’ll start off with Pam Gerard back in New Zealand.

“What a great job she did with her. She sent her over mature and she came over at the right time. There was a sense of timing when she came over for the Newmarket, it was perfect and she has gone on here.

“All of my staff have done a great job with her and she can be a little bit cantankerous every now and then but they have worked with her and she is really enjoying being here and is racing really well.”

Moroney said the decision not to run in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) after the event was postponed due to lightning was a winning move.

“She was fresh today, she’s better on the fresh side. You learn more about them as you go along and I certainly learnt more about her today,” he said.

For winning jockey Jamie Mott, it was his second Group One win, having ticked that box when another Kiwi galloper Callsign Mav won the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) in September.

Mott replaced regular rider Patrick Moloney, who missed the ride after being suspended following his ride on Emissary, who was runner-up in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

“This is truly what dreams are made of. I was lucky enough to get my first Group One only a month ago and to think I’m here on Finals Day going past Nature Strip, I can’t believe it,” Mott said.

“Callsign Mav was a special feeling but this just takes it to a whole new level.

“I must say I feel sorry for Patrick Moloney. He’s done all the work on this mare and he’s won a Group One on her himself and he got suspended during the week.”

Both Sam and Catriona Williams of Little Avondale Stud were on-hand at Flemington to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Offered as a yearling through Little Avondale’s Book 2 Sale draft at Karaka, Roch 'N' Horse failed to meet her reserve of $40,000.

The Williams took home the daughter of their star stallion Per Incanto and the unraced Cecconi mare Rochfort, who is a half-sister to stakes winners Weissmuller and Travolta and Group One placed Harlow Gold.

Roch 'N' Horse is one of three well-related fillies the Williams’ syndicated on lease that year, with Group Three winner Belluci Babe and the winning mare Keke Star the others. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 4
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Godolphin Again - Unbeaten Desert Flower Wins Newmarket 1000 Guineas
The stars continue to align for Sheikh Mohammed with the Godolphin blue again in the winner’s circle in the UK overnight with undefeated filly Desert Flower taking out the Group I Newmarket 1000 Guineas (1m).