On The Rocks too good
Matamata galloper On The Rocks provided rider Jake Bayliss with his second New Zealand Group One prize when he stormed to victory in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
Australian-born Bayliss, who is enjoying his second extended riding stint in New Zealand, had picked up his first elite level victory when successful on Volpe Veloce in the 2018 Sistema Railway (1200m).
Brought to New Zealand in 2017 to ride for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, Bayliss repaid their faith with a superb effort to guide On The Rocks to victory at Te Rapa for the Matamata stable.
Bayliss had the Alamosa entire well-placed in midfield in the early stages of the contest before setting out after the pacemakers with 600m to run. On The Rocks tracked hot favourite Danzdanzdance into the race before angling into the clear to make his challenge at the 300m mark.
On The Rocks quickly ran to the front and hit the finish line over a length clear from outsiders Tiptronic and Elusive Treasure with Danzdanzdance weakening on her run to finish a well-beaten fifth.
Co-trainer Pam Gerard was swamped by well-wishers as she made her way to the Te Rapa birdcage to greet the winning combination.
‘‘I don’t really know what to say as I’m just so happy for everyone who has supported us,’’ she said. ‘‘He has probably been under-rated all the way through but what a heart he’s got.’’
Successful on five occasions from just 12 starts, On The Rocks adds the Group One title to his earlier stakes successes in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m), the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2200m) and the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m).
Meanwhile Cambridge jockey Troy Harris completed a dream day at Te Rapa when he guided sprinting sensation Melody Belle to victory in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).
Harris replaced an ill Michael Coleman on Sponge Bob in the Gr.2 Warren Strom Lifebrokers Waikato Guineas (2000m) as he guided the $34 outsider to an upset victory.
Harris had earlier been selected for the mount on the Jamie Richards-trained Melody Belle after regular rider Opie Bosson was suspended.
That booking was placed in jeopardy when Harris received his own suspension, however a stay of proceedings enabled him to take his place on the Commands four-year-old mare and secure his first Group One win since piloting Tell A Tale to victory in the 2008 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
NZ Racing Desk