Given a ground-saving ride by Jackson Morris, the Scott Morrisey-trained Rockin' Artie proved himself the strongest at the finish of a 1200m maiden an energy-sapping heavy ten at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Making his second trip to the races, Rockin' Artie was not the best to begin before finding himself with the run of the race behind the leaders Whatachoice and Tenacity Jane.
Morris elected to stick to the rail coming around the home turn. It proved to be the winning move as he gradually ate into the lead set by Whatachoice.
Once Rockin' Artie levelled up, Whatachoice (Choisir) had nothing left to give. Rockin' Artie hit the line powerfully to defeat Whatachoice by two and a quarter lengths with a length back to Spill The Diamonds (Spill The Beans) in third.
A $110,000 purchase out of the Ashleigh Thoroughbreds draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Rockin' Artie is the third winner from as many foals out of the Brisbane winning Stratum mare Rock Beauty who hails from the family of I Am a Ripper, Murphy's Blu Boy, Stampede and Thinkin' Big.
Rock Beauty foaled a So You Think filly on August 24.
The eighth highest priced yearling from the first crop of Flying Artie, Rockin' Artie becomes the third winner for the Newgate Farm resident.
The Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes hero has 16 lots heading to the Gold Coast in January, ten at the Inglis Classic and seven at the Inglis Premier.
