Firehouse Rock to Back-up in Australian Guineas

There will be no rest for three-year-old Firehouse Rock this weekend as the colt is set to run in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) just one week after running third in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m).

Firehouse Rock (outside) will back-up in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.

Firehouse Rock (outside) will back-up in the Group 1 Australian Guineas. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Firehouse Rock is currently sitting at number 21 on the order of entry for the Australian Guineas but if he can make it into the field will be ridden much quieter and with a visor for the first time.

The David Hayes & Tom Dabernig-trained colt enjoyed a perfect trip in third place during the Autumn Classic at Caulfield on Saturday and even looked the winner when he dashed clear approaching the 200m however he simply wilted in the closing stages, finishing just under one length away from winner Alpine Eagle in third place.

“I just feel he’ll be better suited being ridden for a late finish,” Hayes told Racing.com.

“I’m not blaming Nick Hall (jockey), I would have ridden him the same way last week, but with hindsight we think he’ll be better suited being ridden a bit quieter.

“He also might be a miler (1600m) being by Fastnet Rock, that’s what he was originally bought to be.

“He’s come through the run very well, he was in beautiful order this morning at Flemington where he had a lazy canter and I’m very happy with him.”

Firehouse Rock is one of two potential runners for Hayes & Dabernig in the 2015 Australian Guineas, with the training duo also set to saddle Petrology – which is number eight on the ballot.

Hayes nominated the three-year-old colt as the better of his two chances with Nick Hall opting to partner Petrology when given the choice between the pair.

Petrology won the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) last November before finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1300m) first-up this campaign on January 26. He stepped up to Group One racing for the first time in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 14, in which he finished midfield in ninth. However Hayes was pleased with the run at the end of it all.

“When I watched the race live I was initially disappointed but when I analysed the sectionals his job was impossible from where he settled,” he said.

“If you look back to his first-up run it was outstanding, his Sandown Guineas run was outstanding and I think he’ll be the horse to beat.”

About The Author