Stakes Double for Fastnet Rock - Nicks That Click

Progressive Irish bred stayer Inverloch (IRE) scored a bold front running win in the Listed MRC Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caufield on Saturday becoming the 18^th stakes-winner sired by Fastnet Rock from a daughter of Galileo.

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young,  the OTI Racing owned stayer led all the way and was strong to the line winning by a length and a half for Michael Dee.

"When I jumped as well as he did, I made my intentions clear and got there (lead) quite comfortably," Dee said.

"He had a beautiful lead and he had his ears pricked and quickened up really well.

"He picked up underneath me - I didn't have to ask him. He just grabbed the bridle again and put a couple of lengths on them quite comfortably. It was a very good win."

With six wins and four placings from 20 starts, Inverloch has won over $300,000 and heads next to the $350,000 Mornington Cup (2400m) next Saturday.

Inverloch is the 156^th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock and the 18^th from a daughter of Galileo, a nick that runs at a super successful 25.3% stakes-winners to runners and includes Golden Slipper contender Personal.

He is a half-brother to stakes-placed Harpocrates and his dam Ideal is a three-quarter -sister by Galileo to Champion 3YO and Group I producing sire Camelot.

Inverloch also has a double cross of Danehill (2 x 4), a topic well covered on Breednet last week (read about it here).

Fastnet Rock ended the day with a stakes double after his quality Perth based filly Tuscan Queen won the Listed WATC Natasha Stakes (2200m) at Ascot.

Trained by Grant and Alana Williams for Bob and Sandra Peters, Tuscan Queen was already a stakes-winner and scored a dominant two and a quarter length win taking her overall record to four wins from eight starts with prizemoney topping $240,000.

A $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft for Belmont Bloodstock on behalf of Mr and Mrs Peters, Tuscan Queen is the best of three winners from three foals to race from Group III winning Zabeel mare Tavarnelle, who comes from the family of Group I winner Zirna and Group III winner Crafty Irna.

Bred by the Crismale family’s Matrix Bloodstock, Tuscan Queen keeps the record perfect for Tavarnelle, who has a yearling filly and weanling filly to follow, both by American Pharoah.