Winning Return for $1.2 Million Fastnet Rock Colt

On a day when champion sire Fastnet Rock posted six winners including two juvenile stakes-winners Long Leaf and Avantage, his expensive three year-old son Siege of Quebec also made a winning return and gave the promise of better wins to come.

Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Siege of Quebec (image Steve Hart) was sent out a raging hot favourite for the $100,000 Wilkes Quality at Rosehill and arrived late to snatch a long head win in the 1100 metre dash with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle.

"He wasn't tracking well at all and pulled two plates off," Avdulla said.

"I had to get stuck into him but I could feel him pick up and knew the race was over at the 150m.

"I've had enough to do with him with him now to know he's a very talented colt. The longer he goes the better he will be."

Bott had anticipated that the 1100m distance first-up would be a vulnerability for Siege Of Quebec after a lengthy spell, but had faith in the colt's class, which has the stable shooting for races like the Group I ATC Randwick Guineas (1600m) in the autumn.

"It was certainly a heart stopping win," Bott said.

"He's a very laid-back colt and sometimes probably a little bit too relaxed and the leader left him flat footed.

"But he stoked up well late and was strong through the line. Conditions weren't ideal today but his class shone through and no doubt that will take him a long way this preparation."

Siege of Quebec was bought for $1.2 million from the Newgate Farm draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by T Magnier / Gai Waterhouse Racing / Nordic Racing & Breeding / J Blaxland and runs in the Coolmore navy blue.

He has the overall record of three wins and a second from four starts with prizemoney topping $200,000 with his lone defeat coming at the hands of highly rated colt Menari in the Listed ATC Rosebud Quality back in August.

Siege of Quebec is a full brother to Magic Millions sale-topper Bull Point, who retired to Kingstar Stud in 2016 as a Group I placed Group III winner of over $550,000 in prizemoney.

Bred by Mrs Belinda Bateman, who retains a share in him, Siege of Quebec was foaled and raised at Newgate and is one of three winners for Rose of Cimarron, a full sister to Group III winner Mica's Pride, the dam of $7million earner Criterion as well as Group winners Varenna Miss and Comin' Through, who is also by Fastnet Rock.