Given a positive ride by Craig Williams, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Volcanic Rock opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Authentic Security The Phoenix (1500m) at Eagle Farm, which likely earned him a shot in next weeks $1million Group 1 JJ Atkins.
The gelded son of Hinchinbrook had the flashing Light when returning from a 26-week break for a fighting second to the promising Overman over 1300m at Rosehill on May 22.
Volcanic Rock looked vulnerable when challenged by Verbek (Turn Me Loose) but found plenty in the final stages. He held the challenge of Verbek by three-quarters of a length with Melody Belle’s half-brother Tutukaka (Tavistock) a further two and a half lengths back in third.
Following a first-up win at Canberra in November last year, Volcanic Rock was spelled after finishing unplaced after a torrid run in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick in December.
A $240,000 purchased by China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock out of the Bell River Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Classic Yearling Sale, Volcanic Rock is a half-brother to Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes winner Furnaces (Exceed And Excel).
He is one of six winners from seven to race out of the stakes-placed Strategic mare Heat Of The Fire.
Third behind Gold Edition in the Group III Surround Stakes, Heat Of The Fire was purchased by Darley for $260,000 off Newhaven Park at the 2009 National Broodmare Sale before being on-sold to McKeever/Ferguson Bloodstock/Bell River for $160,000 at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.
Heat Of The Fire has not had a foal since Volcanic Rock and was covered by Churchill last spring.
Volcanic Rock becomes the 22nd stakes-winner by Yarraman Park Stud’s ill-fated Fastnet Rock stallion Hinchinbrook.
