No Caulfield Guineas for Fast ‘N’ Rocking

Trainer David Hayes will revert back to a sprinting campaign for Fast ‘N’ Rocking, meaning the three year old will not line up in the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.

Fast 'N' Rocking to contest sprint races in the Spring.

Fast 'N' Rocking to contest sprint races in the Spring. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Hayes has come to the conclusion that Fast ‘N’ Rocking is simply a sprinter after having been beaten out of a place at his only three runs beyond 1200m and will set the Fastnet Rock colt for the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 2.

“He has failed three times in his life, twice at 1400m and once at a mile,” Hayes told Racing Network.

“I think at the moment that he’s just a sprinter like his father.”

Hayes tested Fast ‘N’ Rocking over 1600m as a two year old when he ran a creditable fifth to Guelph in the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon 150th Champagne Stakes at Randwick in the Autumn after the colt mad up plenty of ground in the straight when fifth to Overreach in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.

Hayes was willing to give Fast ‘N’ Rocking the benefit of the doubt at his ability to be competitive up to 1600m after the Champagne Stakes, but he is now convinced the sprint distances are his go.

“I’ve always been worried in the back of my mind since the Champagne Stakes that he doesn’t run a mile but I thought that it was maybe just immaturity,” Hayes said.

“As it’s come out I think he’s just a quality run-on sprinter like Eagle Falls or Bel Sprinter.”

Hayes also gave Fast ‘N’ Rocking his chance to prove himself over 1400m twice this campaign but the three year old failed on both occasions with a tenth to Zoustar in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill followed by a seventh to Eclair Big Bang in the Group 3 $175,000 BECK Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield last Sunday.

Fast ‘N’ Rocking was quickly gaining the tag as the best maiden in Australia after failing to win a race from his first eight starts even though he had a Group 1 placing beside his name for his second to Adelaide filly Miracles Of Life in the $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February.

The unlucky colt also had the knack of finding trouble in the run and figured in numerous stewards’ reports before chalking up his first win three starts back beating Prince Harada in a roughhouse Group 3 $150,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 31.

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.