On The Rocks eyes NZ Derby
ON THE ROCKS is back in New Zealand Derby contention after downing his fellow classic hopefuls at Ellerslie.
The Alamosa colt dropped down the pecking order after he was unplaced in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), but he’s back in business after knocking off a strong three-yearold line-up in yesterday’s $100,000 Avondale Guineas (2100m).
On The Rocks’ performance under stable jockey Jake Bayliss has seen his NZ Derby (2400m) odds come in from $16 to $6.50.
‘‘To be honest, I was a bit dubious today about the wet track, but he’s just so brave,’’ said Pam Gerard, who trains with Michael Moroney.
‘‘His work during the week was absolutely outstanding and it was a beautiful ride from Jake. Very patient and it was all about getting the horse to settle and finish off and he’s done that.
‘‘I would like a better track for the Derby and a good draw.’’
Out of a half-sister to the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and VRC Derby (2500m) winner Efficient, On The Rocks raced behind the pace and he finished determin- edly in the straight for the third win of his seven-start career.
‘‘At his last start he raced on a hot speed and they really turned it up at the 800m and he got bottomed out,’’ Bayliss said.
‘‘I was full of confidence today, his work had been huge and he was on his toes. I got him to settle better and he towed me into it at the top of the straight and kicked.
‘‘He’s got plenty up his sleeve and I think he’s a big Derby hope. He’ll be a length or two better on a good surface as well.’’
The filly Danzdanzdance ran on well for second to also do her Derby claims no harm, while Vin De Dance, Scott Base and Mission Hill were next home and also returned solid trials for the upcoming feature on March 3. ● KENNY RAE’S punting mates may have felt short-changed after Kaharau won, but they were all smiles after stablemate Major Tom followed suit in the closing event.
The Ruakaka horseman gave the former little chance in the Nathan’s Memorial (2400m) and was much keener on the latter’s prospects over 2100m.
‘‘My tip was Major Tom, I thought he could win again, but I didn’t think Kaharau could win with the weight – I was wrong but who cares,’’ said Rae, who trains with his wife Lisa and their daughter Krystal Williams.
Kaharau’s victory under 60kg has put him right in the Auckland Cup (3200m) picture.
His odds for the cup tumbled from $61 to $14 after a determined dress rehearsal.
Placed in the New Zealand Cup (3200m) in the spring, Kaharau led early for jockey Sam Spratt before trailing, and he was back in front 300m from home.
The six-year-old showed the tenacious side of his nature to hold the challenge of Ladies First at bay to win by a short-head.
Araldo Junior gave a strong account of himself in his New Zealand debut to be a long-head back in third.
Major Tom posted a clear-cut victory, completing a double for apprentice Jasmine Fowcett. ● SMART filly Astor will bid to give her tyro trainer Cody Cole the first black type training success of his career at her next TRISH DUNELL
‘ I would like a better track for the Derby and a good draw.’
appearance. The three-year-old finished runner-up to Melody Belle in the Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m) in her first start for the Matamata horseman and she had no trouble going one better in the Beko Appliances 1200m.
“As long as she gets through this okay, she’ll be back here for the listed Mufhasa Stakes on Derby Day,” Cole said.
Astor handled the slow eight conditions comfortably enough, but she is expected to be far more effective on a better surface.
“When you ride her, her action suggests she wants to be on top of the ground,” Cole said.
The daughter of Iffraaj settled third under Cole’s partner Samantha Collett, before moving off the fence to sit on the leader’s quarters.
“Sam did the right thing by popping out – you don’t want to get unlucky in a small field,” he said.
Astor quickly mastered the frontrunner Not Usual Heart into the straight and they coasted clear to score by three and threequarter lengths from Morrie Ock and Eeny Meeny Miny Mo.
“There was no Melody Belle in the field and I didn’t want to get stuck in a pocket so I opted to push the button,” Collett said.