News

Amah Rockets In Guineas Calculations

23rd Aug 2011

Racing And Sports - Saturday, 20 August 2011

Amah Rock has put himself in the Caulfield Guineas picture with a dogged win in today's Listed McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The gelding, prepared by Peter Morgan, took a quantum leap from a narrow maiden win at Echuca to claiming some big scalps in a very competitive race today.

Drawing barrier one, jockey Danny Nikolic sat third early and held Amah Rock together there throughout the race.

With plenty of speed on he bided his time but moved into the clear at the top of the straight and ran on well.

Although laying in, he quickly swept to the lead and on to an impressive win.

Hot Spin, who took up the running but did face some mid-race pressure, battled on well to hold second while Secret Hills, who had also been close to the speed, finished third.

But behind them there was a number of eye-catching runs, including Don'tmentionthewar who flashed home from the tail for fourth, while Huegill, who wasn't the best away and wobbled around the turn as he found trouble, getting home hard for fifth.

But all honours were with Amah Rock who appreciated the gallop at the track on Tuesday to take a huge leap in grade for today's win.

“He's always shown us a lot,” Morgan's stable spokesman Craig Witterson said.

“Although he's always been a casual sort of horse we've got a fair opinion of him and he took the next step well.

“It was a good experience coming here on Tuesday. He galloped with Dusty Star and showed us he was going very well.

“The way the track is playing he had all the favours. We wanted to use the barrier and Danny was very adamant of doing the same.

“He's in the Guineas and we'll keep heading towards there and we'll see how far he gets.”

The son of Fastnet Rock was a $200,000 Inglis yearling and is from the Afleet mare Gainesville.

Amah Rock (3g Fastnet Rock x Gainesville (CAN) (Afleet (CAN))
Lot 441 - 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale - $200,000
Vendor: Tyreel Stud, Agnes Banks
Buyer: Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock