Epsom Goal for Pierro’s Rock

Tara Madgwick - Friday September 20
A patient approach with progressive Pierro four year-old gelding Rock paid big dividends at Newcastle on Friday when he stormed into contention for the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap with a barnstorming victory in the Group III Cameron Handicap.




Drawn wide in the big field of 15, the Team Hawkes trained Rock (image Steve Hart) settled at the rear and was the widest runner turning for home, but unleashed a sensational finishing burst to power home and win the 1400 metre contest by alength running away.

"That was a massive win," said winning rider Tommy Berry.

"I had to go back a lot further than I wanted, so full credit to him, he had a tough run and was the best horse."

Rock has been allowed to make his way quietly through the grades with wins in Benchmark 72 and 74 grade races at his first two runs back from a spell and was cherry ripe for this big step up in grade.

"He had to do it tough even with his light weight, but he's got that explosive turf of foot," said co-trainer Michael Hawkes.

"He's a good horse in the making and now has a date with the Epsom."

Rock as a yearlingA $130,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Hawkes Racing, he runs for a big syndicate of stable clients and has the tidy record of four wins and three seconds from just eight starts with prizemoney topping $226,000.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Rock is a full brother to stakes-placed Femme Fireball and is the second foal from winning Fastnet rock mare Subtitle, a grand-daughter of Group I winner Credit Account.

Subtitle has foaled this spring producing a filly by Cox Plate winner Adelaide (IRE).

Rock is the 18th stakes-winner for Coolmore's Golden Slipper winner Pierro, who is fully booked this spring at a fee of $88,000.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 27
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Widden Stud Sell Climbing Star for $2.1million
Group I winning Zoustar mare Climbing Star started life at Widden Stud as did $5.25million mare Zougotcha and now they will find themselves back together in the paddock at Coolmore after Tom Magnier purchased both of them at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday.
Blue Gum Farm Announce 2025 Fees
Leading Victorian stud, Blue Gum Farm, is pleased to announce its 2025 stallion roster and service fees, headlined by exciting young sire Sejardan, who will stand at an unchanged fee of $13,750.
Widden Purchase MM 2YO Classic Winner for $1.35million
Widden Stud were active at the top end as a vendor at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday and also as a buyer securing Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Skirt the Law for $1.35million.
First Australian Winner For Ghaiyyath
While four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) isn’t shuttling to Australia this season after four successive years where he covered 377 mares, supporters of the stallion will be pleased to see that he's recorded his first Australian winner on Tuesday - and it was an impressive one.
Alsephina $1.1million and Amazonian Lass $1million
They followed each other through the sale ring at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday with Alsephina selling for $1.1million to Katsumi Yoshida followed by Amazonian Lass for $1million to Nocab Racing Pty Ltd/Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
Nicks That Click – One of the Best
Two of Australia’s biggest farms in Arrowfield and Coolmore have very different stallion rosters, but in the instance of this nick they have created a match made in heaven.
Pierro’s $1 Million Son Dragon Leap Stakes His Claim for the NZ Derby
Talented three-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro) stamped his Derby credentials with his winning effort in the Group II Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Wednesday.
$5.25million Zougotcha - Waller Stars Set Sale Ring Alight
Chris Waller Racing consigned two of the stable’s superstar older mares to the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday with Zougotcha (Zoustar) selling for $5.25million and Atishu (Savabeel) for $2.7million.
Best On Breeding
Group 1 action with the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington where the 'favourite for everything in 2020' Russian Camelot will have the red carpet rolled out, with other highlights being the return of Farnan in a fascinating Group II  Run to the Rose Stakes at Rosehill, and with stakes action and million-dollar babies galore, just buckle up for another magnificent day of racing aroun