Fastnet Rock Filly Goes Two for Two

Mark Smith - Wednesday December 4

Made a Breednet ‘One To Watch’ when she made a winning debut at Sandown on November 20, the Fastnet Rock filly Merited returned back to the scene on Wednesday to make it two from two in a benchmark 64 over 1400 metres for 3yo fillies.

In contrast to her debut win where she stormed home, Merited took up the running after making a fast start for Thomas Stockdale. While feeling the pinch over the last 100 metres Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly held the challenge of the fast-finishing Florent (Fiorente) by a long-head with Flandersrain (Manhattan Rain) one and a quarter lengths back in third.   

“She’s a very talented filly, naturally versatile. It was well summed up by young Thomas (Stockdale) who I think is a very promising young jockey,” said Michael Kent Jnr.  

“She flew the gates so there was no use dragging her back, got a comfortable lead, was rated well and gave a good kick.

Advertisement

“She a lovely filly with scope to go further. Mum won a Group II in New Zealand, she is a lovely daughter of Fastnet Rock that, possibly next prep, will get over further and get some black-type for the owners.”    

Retained to race after passing in shy of her $500,000 reserve when offered by Cressfield at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Merited is the third winner from three foals to race from Stravinsky’s Group II winning daughter Jeu de Cartes (NZ) who won nine races from 1600 to 2200m and is a half-sister to Group I Australian Derby winner Nom du Jeu from dual Group I winner Prized Gem, who won a Kelt Capital Stakes in New Zealand and a Brisbane Cup in Australia.

Jeu de Cartes has a 2yo Not A Single Doubt colt named Do This All Day who was a $540,000 purchase at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She has a  yearling filly by Snitzel and has foaled a colt on November 11 by Fastnet Rock’s champion son Merchant Navy.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Odds Boost (Bm64) 1400m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(3) Time: 1:25.48
1
Merited
- 3f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Jeu De Cartes (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 57
2
0.2
Florent
- 3f Fiorente (IRE) x Stockpin (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A W Noonan Rdr: J Noonan 57
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW
Buyer: Withdrawn
Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale $160,000
Seller: Blue Gum Farm, Euroa
Buyer: Bahen Bloodstock Ltd
3
1.5
Flandersrain
- 3f Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Flying Flanders (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: M J Walker 59
4
1.6
Feign
- 3f Sepoy (AUS) x Commanding Secret (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: R D Griffiths Rdr: D Yendall 58
5
1.7
Norma Stars
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Sister Norma (AUS) (Superior Sateen (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Damien Thornton 57.5
6
3.7
Miss Elena
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x Pontington (AUS) (Delago Brom (AUS))
Tnr: R D Griffiths Rdr: M J Allen 59
7
3.9
Sunset Eagle
- 3f Dawn Approach (IRE) x Big Birdie (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Shea Eden Rdr: D Dunn 58.5
8
4.1
Aviate
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Rosemont Flyer (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 57
9
4.6
Uncovered Beauty
- 3f Per Incanto (USA) x Exposed (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: D Oliver 59
10
5.6
Vegas Queen
- 3f Casino Prince (AUS) x Queen's Ransom (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: J P Salanitri Rdr: Michael Poy 56.5
More Reading...
Odinson tops May (Late) Sale at $160,000
The Listed Inglis Nursery winner Odinson topped today’s May (Late) Online Sale, selling to Pure Bloodstock for $160,000.
Yulong Top Buyers List as MM National Mares Concludes
The beautifully related Group performer Call Di has topped the second and final day of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast selling for $2.1million.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 28
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$2.1million Frankel Mare - Samantha Miss Legacy Ignites MM National
Back in 2009, the most expensive mare sold in Australia was Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss, who was bought by John Singleton for $3.85million and today at the Magic Millions National Sale two of her daughters sold for $2.1million and $1.25million, both going to Yulong.
Miss Enfield in Foal to Wootton Bassett Sells for $1.25million
Wootton Bassett (GB) has had a hefty fee increase for his return to Coolmore Australia this spring in the wake of overwhelming worldwide success on the track, so blueblood Miss Enfield was an attractive package in foal to him in her first season at stud.
Yulong Purchase Another Oaks winner for $1.45million
Yulong are in the process of collecting paddocks full of Classic winners at their Victorian headquarters and added another at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday when securing Lonhro’s VRC Oaks winner Aristia for $1.45million.
Stellar Pauline Sells for $1.15million
Widden Stud might be the home of Zoustar, but Antony Thompson has plenty of respect for reigning champion sire I Am Invincible and secured Stellar Pauline in foal to him for $1.15million at MM National on Wednesday.
Dirty Work 2YO Dazzling Debut Winner
Widden Stud’s young Written Tycoon son Dirty Work had an impressive debut winner on Wednesday for the Phillip Stokes stable.
Tragedy Sparks Reinvestment for Cressfield - $1.3million Lilliesformillie (USA)
Elite Hunter Valley nursery Cressfield were back in buying mode at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday seeking to restock their stellar broodmare band after losing three G1 winning broodmares last year.
$1.1million for Written Beauty - Bought for Farnan
She’s big and beautiful and on her way to Kia Ora Stud, who paid $1.1million for Written Beauty at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday.