Group 1 Glory for On The Rocks (NZ)

Breednet - Saturday February 9
$40,000 Select Sale graduate On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) was already a dual Group 2 winner who had delivered priceless thrills for his owners, but he went to a new level in Saturday's $400,000 Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.

On The Rocks wins the richest WFA race in New Zealand. Photo: Trish Dunell.With an emphatic performance in New Zealand's richest weight-for-age race, the four-year-old entire took his prize-money earnings to $432,575 – more than 10 times his purchase price.

"He's a great little horse," co-trainer Pam Gerard said. "He's been underrated all the way along. He's only a little grey thing, but he has a huge heart. He's a stable pet and we all love him.

"He's still an entire, but we'd never really considered the prospect of a stallion career – maybe that could change now.

"He races for a crazy group of owners. We're all having so much fun, and hopefully he's not finished yet."

Ridden by Jake Bayliss, On The Rocks settled midfield before swinging out wide to make his run in the straight.

The grey stretched out impressively to win by a length and a quarter from the second-placed Tiptonic (NZ) (O'Reilly), who was a $100,000 purchase at the 2015 Premier Sale and has now earned $186,700 in stakes. On The Rocks and Tiptronic also finished first and second in last month's $100,000 Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie.

On The Rocks has now had 12 starts for five wins and two placings for owners Ballymore Stables NZ Ltd, A Clark, N Gurney, A Mathieson, On The Rocks Syndicate, D P Sinn, Richard Sims, Jim Bebedellis, George Alas and John McNicholas.

His previous black-type wins came in the Rich Hill Mile, the $100,000 Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and the $50,000 Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m).

"This horse is as tough as nails and you couldn't hope for better owners to ride for," Bayliss said. It's really special to ride the first Group One winner for Pam, who's been like family to me. This is one of the highlights of my career.

"We're on a great ride with this horse. You think back to his maiden win at Tauranga, and look what he's done now."


Advertisment
More Reading...
Everything is Car Pie
Tineke Balcombe’s $2,600 gavelhouse,com New Zealand purchase Car Pie proved too good for her rivals at Hokitika yesterday to break her maiden with a dominant display.
Owner Trainer Relishing Gavelhouse Graduate Success
Christchurch based owner-trainer Taylor Burnett is enjoying reigniting the race careers of his gavelhouse purchases, his most recent success being five-year-old Heart of Fame's stylish win yesterday at Greymouth.
Karaka Bargain Wins Memorial Trophy
$10,000 Karaka weanling purchase Mr Crowe (NZ) (Alamosa) produced a strong performance to win Sunday’s RM65,000 Dr Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy (1400m) at Penang.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
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.
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.
New Stakes-winner for Alamosa
Lightweight runner Windsor made it three wins from three starts in his latest campaign when he led all the way to take out the Listed Speights Timaru Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
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.