Fast ‘N’ Rocking breaks maiden in McNeil Stakes

Fast ‘N’ Rocking is heading for bigger Spring prizes after breaking his maiden status in a rough house Group 3 $150,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield today.

Fast 'N' Rocking

Fast 'N' Rocking and Brett Prebble score a clear cut win in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The David Hayes trained colt was able to turn the tables on Miracle Of Life ($2.60 favourite) who finished fourth after finishing second to the glamour filly in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield back in February.

Winning rider Brett Prebble had his hands full on Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($4) over the concluding stages as he ducked in badly as he went to the front at the 100m, badly hampering runner up Prince Harada ($4.60) who was nearly pushed through the inside running rail.

In the end Fast ‘N’ Rocking went on the win by two lengths from Prince Harada who was able to get balanced up again with the Peter Moody trained Thermal Current ($7) running home for third.

“He’s got uncapped ability but he’s got a mind of his own,” Prebble said.

“He went to the front and he changed his stride a little bit, brushed the horse on the inside of me, he panicked, he slipped and lost his balance.””

“On the line it was really easy work for him. He has really got a mind of his own. Coming back to scale he threw me off him. He’s a boy that’s for sure.”

Fast ‘N’ Rocking, who was a certainty beaten last start when second to Safeguard two weeks ago in the Group 3 $135,000 Legacy 90th Anniversary Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, is on track for the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.

But Hayes might be tempted to add in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill in a fortnight on his way to Caulfield.

“He’s definitely heading for the guineas,” Hayes said.

“He might go for the Golden Rose if he does well. It’s a good stallion race now and he would be one of the favourites. It’s something to think about in the next couple of days.”

Miracles Of Life was the first to leave the barriers and Lauren Stojakovic was forced to sit outside the leader, Divine Calling and raced a bit keenly at her first run back.

Stojakovic let the flashy filly slide to the front but run out of puff at the 100m and was also on the end of some buffering from eventual winner Fast ‘N’ Rocking.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.