Awesome Rock is currently available at the lengthy 2015 Fred Best Classic odds of $41, but co-trainer Troy Corstens is confident that the talented colt can return to his best form if the Doomben track continues to improve ahead of the Group 3 event in Brisbane tomorrow.
Hugh Bowman has been booked to ride Awesome Rock in the 2015 Fred Best Classic at Doomben tomorrow. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Awesome Rock returned to racing for the first time since the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival in the Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9, but he was never able to get into the race and he could finish no better than 11th.
Corstens told Racing Ahead that Awesome Rock did not handle the soft Morphettville surface and he is hoping that the Fastnet Rock colt does not run into another wet track when he contests the Fred Best Classic tomorrow.
“He has settled in really beautifully up there, but the only problem is that he has drawn terribly and we don’t want any rain,” Corstens said.
“If we happen to get any rain overnight or something like that I would say that he wouldn’t be going around, but if it keeps improving he will be alright.
“He just didn’t handle the ground, he hadn’t been on one before and we were unsure how he was going to handle it, but he obviously didn’t.
“As long as the track dries out, you will see the real Awesome Rock.”
Awesome Rock made his racing debut in February of last year with a seventh place finish at Bendigo and he recorded a maiden race win in the Say It With Flowers Handicap (1300m) at Sandown before he made his debut at Group level with a second place finish in the Group 2 Henry Bucks Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 8.
The talented colt started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a third place finish in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 30 and he produced strong efforts in both the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 13 and the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 28, but he was sent to the spelling paddock before the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Najoom is currently available at 2015 Fred Best Classic odds of $3 and she is a clear favourite from Rekindled Power ($6.50), Sarajevo ($7), Traveston Girl ($7.50), Deiheros ($11) and Miss Cover Girl ($11).
