Hayes Confident Fast ‘N’ Rocking Can Shed Unwanted Title

Trainer David Hayes is confident that unlucky colt Fast ‘N’ Rocking can shed the unwanted title of ‘Best Maiden in Australia’ when he contests the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Fast 'N' Rocking

Fast 'N' Rocking was unlucky not to record his maiden win in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Fast ‘N’ Rocking has had eight starts without visiting the winners circle but has performed well at the highest level of racing, finishing second in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m)

The son of Fastnet Rock was desperately unlucky not to record his first victory in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday after he was blocked for a run in the straight but still managed to get within a head of the winner Safeguard.

Hayes told RSN that Fast ‘N’ Rocking had been luckless on a number of occasions and believes the three-year-olds breakthrough result may only be a race away.

“Sometimes these horses that have never won maidens are not genuine but he is very genuine,” Hayes said.

“He has raced in Group races every start and probably been unlucky in three of the eight starts that he had.

“His two biggest races, The Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper, he drew the outside and had no option but to go back.

“He could have easily had three wins.”

Hayes has not decided on the major 2013 Spring Racing Carnival target for Fast ‘N’ Rocking but included the colt in his nominations for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).

His pedigree suggests that he will have no problem handling longer trips but Hayes said he is happy to keep Fast ‘N’ Rocking in sprinting races at this stage.

“I would say that seven furlongs is ideal at this stage,” the leading trainer said.

“I’m sure that there isn’t much problem getting a mile down the track.”

Fast ‘N’ Rocking will need to be at his best to score his maiden win this weekend with six undefeated three-year-olds, including Blue Diamond winner Miracles Of Life, nominated for the McNeil Stakes.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.