Fastnet Colt Wins Merson Cooper Stakes

Tara Madgwick - Saturday November 18
The familiar navy blue Coolmore colours were carried to victory in the Listed MRC Merson Cooper Stakes at Sandown on Saturday by talented two year-old Fastnet Rock colt Long Leaf, a $750,000 NZB Premier purchase for BBA Ireland from the Curraghmore Stud draft.



Trained by the Hayes / Dabernig partnership, Long Leaf (image above Darryl Sherer) opened his account with a narrow victory at Morphettville last month and took plenty of benefit from that outing.

Long Leaf made $750,000 at Karaka - Trish DunnellStepped up to stakes class, Long Leaf jumped well from the outside gate for Kerrin McEvoy to go forward and sit outside the leader and was strong to the line when challenged by I Am Invincible colt Oohood.

He relished the battle sticking on with tenacity to hold off Oohood and win the 1000 metre scamper by a short head with Sanglier, a son of first season sire Albrecht grabbing third place.

"Adelaide was a nice kick off for him and he showed that day the more he got into the race the more the penny dropped," said Kerrin McEvoy.

"Today he was out quickly and always in control of the race. There was only a small margin at the finish, but he's a lovely colt that will keep improving."

Fastnet RockHaving been bought from Karaka and part-owned by Sir Peter Vela, Long Leaf may be under consideration for a start in the Karaka Million in January for which he is eligible with $100,000 in prizemoney already in the bank.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Long Leaf is the first winner for Frustrating, a winning Stravinsky (USA) daughter of blue hen Parfore, whose long list of stakes-winning offspring is headed by Group I winners Terravista, Tiger Tees, Group II winner Ball of Muscle and Singapore Hors eof the Year and sire Super Easy.

Frustrating has a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock and was covered by the champions ire again last spring.

Long Leaf is the 125th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, who will travel back to Ireland for anotgher Northern Hemisphere season in 2018.


Advertisment
More Reading...
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.