On The Rocks primed for back-to-back
On The Rocks brought up some big milestones for trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard when he won the Gr.1 Herbie Dykes Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month and they are hoping he can continue his winning ways in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) today.
“It was my first Group One (win as a trainer) and Mike’s 50th, so it was really good,” Gerard said.
“It was a good win, I am very happy with the condition of the horse going into Saturday. It’s not easy, they are never easy, they are Group Ones. “His work has been super this we ek and he has done everything that we have asked of him since winning.”
The 4-year-old son of Alamosa has been in good form of late, winning the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile two starts prior at Ellerslie, the venue for today’s contest. The Group One feature has attracted a star-studded field, which includes five-time Group One winner Melody Belle, but Gerard said she is just concentrating on her own horse leading into the race.
“I am not going to worry about the other horses,” she said. “If he gets the right trip I think he’s certainly the horse to do it over 2000m.”
“I am never confident, but I am happy at this stage with where he is at and how he has coped with everything.”
Gerard is happy with drawing gate
4 and said jockey Jake Bayliss has plenty of options from that barrier.
“Drawn four, I just think he can put him anywhere,” she said. “We’ll just see how he jumps and hopefully he’s in midfield or just in front.”
“It really just depends on how they come out of the gates and how the race is run. He is very adaptable, you can put him anywhere, Jake knows him well so he will know what to do.”
An Australian campaign beckons but Gerard said he would have to perform up to expectations today to warrant that trip.
On The Rocks is a $5.50 third favourite with TAB bookmakers after Group One-winning mares Melody Belle and Danzdanzdance.
Meanwhile, Gerard will line up imported stayer Vengeur Masque one race later in the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m).
The 7-year-old son of Monsun has travelled over from Ballymore Stables’ Melbourne barn and Gerard said he has settled in well.
Vengeur Masque heads into the race off the back of victory in the Listed Torney Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley last month.
“He’s a really good stayer, the two miles is going to suit him on Saturday,” Gerard said. “As long as we don’t get too much rain, he definitely needs a firm track, I think Mike is pretty confident.”
● Karaka trainer Lance Noble will take two strong Group One chances to Ellerslie today and he is hoping they can improve off their last-start runs at Matamata last month.
Stakes-winning filly Bavella will contest the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) in the colours of Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who previously owned Sistema Plastics.
The daughter of Snitzel was previously unbeaten heading into the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) last month and Noble cited a tardy beginning as a contributing factor to her unplaced finish.
Noble said Bavella will have to overcome the best of her crop today.
“But that’s why we have Leith (Innes) riding. He is a big race rider, he knows her and he’ll give her the best run he can.”
Meanwhile, stablemate Prince Jabeel has undergone a meteoric rise this season that will result in a tilt at the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie today.
“Back to Ellerslie on Saturday, a firm track and two miles, I think he should go back to his form before Matamata,” Noble said.