Bright Future for El Roca 3YO

Media Release - Saturday May 31

Owner-trainer-breeder Kylie Little believes she might have a promising stayer on her hands with Eagle Rock, who left maiden ranks with an emphatic performance in Saturday’s Matt Edwards-Lime Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.

The $20,000 race was the third career start for the three-year-old gelding, who had finished second at Pukekohe and Wanganui in his two previous appearances on April 23 and May 11.

Eagle Rock winning Saturday’s Matt Edwards-Lime Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Eagle Rock was given a perfect run on Saturday by jockey Bridget Grylls, who slotted him into fourth spot along the rail as Sybaris set a solid pace out in front.

The three horses in front of Eagle Rock began to feel the pinch coming up to the home turn, but the $3.40 favourite was travelling with ease. He strode to the front at the home turn and quickly took command.

Bradley launched a big run from second-last and loomed as a threat down the outside of the straight, but Eagle Rock had plenty left up his sleeve and held on to win by three-quarters of a length.

Eagle Rock is by El Roca out of the Don Eduardo mare Sea Eagle, who won six races up to 2500m and finished fourth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m).

Advertisement

Raced by Little in partnership with Gene Jacobson, Eagle Rock has now had three starts for a win, two seconds and $18,885 in stakes.

“That was pretty cool,” Little said on Saturday. “He deserved to pick up a maiden win after running so well for second in both of his first two starts. It’s good to see him improving, putting things together and getting more professional.

“I definitely think he’s going to go a lot further than 1600m. He’s closely related to Aljay, who won a New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m). Even though this was only a maiden win today, I might be pretty tempted to put in a New Zealand Cup nomination with him when the spring rolls around.

“We’ll see how he comes through this run today before deciding what we do next and how much further into the winter we go with him. Either way, I think he’ll have at least a week in the paddock for now.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Matt Edwards – Lime Group Mdn 1600m

Te Rapa Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:41.51
1
Eagle Rock
- 3g El Roca (AUS) x Sea Eagle (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: Ms K A Little Rdr: B E Grylls 57.50
2
0.8
Bradley
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Our Lady Gaga (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: W B Kennedy 57.50
3
1.2
Fastdeeldun
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Fastnet Lady (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57.50
NZB Karaka Book 1 $0
Seller: The Oaks Stud
Buyer: Withdrawn
4
2.7
Intoxicated
- 3g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Double Image (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: T C Moodley 56.5
5
4.7
Fast Impact
- 3g Staphanos (JPN) x Tutta La Classe (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: V A Colgan 57.50
6
7.2
Rollins
- 3g Super Seth (AUS) x Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: G Rooke 57.50
7
9.2
Show Your Ace
- 3g Ace High (AUS) x Secret Lily (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: G J Old Rdr: J J Fawcett 57.50
8
9.5
Rekindle
- 3f Darci Brahma (NZ) x Smoulder (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: K A Myers 55.50
9
9.7
Sybaris
- 3f Magna Grecia (IRE) x Ocean Fleet (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 54.5
10
12.3
Magna Kata
- 3g Embellish (NZ) x Fiorita (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: L Te Keeti Rdr: E H Nicholas 56.5
11
14.2
Slick Chick
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Delecta Dreims (NZ) (St Reims (NZ))
Tnr: Peter Grey Rdr: M Alam 55.50
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka. 
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Royal Ascot Day 4- Roughies Rule and an Aussie Owned Fairytale
The racing roller coaster took a big dive at Royal Ascot on Day 4 which was not a good day for favourite backers with roughies ruling in both G1 races and a first season sire produced the winner of the juvenile feature on the card.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.