Five year old Pierro gelding Rock won his first Black Type race last year when taking out the Group III Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle and he repeated that performance to win the same race again on Friday, but this time bolting in to score by nearly four lengths.
Last year, Rock finished fifth at his next start in the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap on an unsuitable wet track and Team Hawkes believe their charge can go better this year if the rain stays away.
“He likes dry tracks and he seems to love it here,” said co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
“He’s right on path to go to the Epsom third up.”
A $130,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Hawkes Racing, he runs for a big syndicate of stable clients and has the tidy record of five wins and four placings seconds from just 13 starts with prizemoney topping $340,000.
Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Rock is a full brother to stakes-placed Femme Fireball and is the second foal from winning Fastnet Rock mare Subtitle, a grand-daughter of Group I winner Credit Account.
She has a yearling filly by Cox Plate winner Adelaide (IRE) and is due to foal to Pierro, who stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $137,500.
