The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained debutant Rockwithu saw off a field of likely types in Tuesday’s Last Straw Hay Supplies Maiden (1200m) at Ballarat.
Cleanly away for Damien Oliver, the 2yo son of Fastnet Rock was caught out on a limb as the favourite Starvirgo made full use of an inside barrier to lead them up with little effort.
Despite his wide trip Rockwithu quickly gathered in Starvirgo (Zoustar) in the straight to win by one and a quarter lengths with Cozhecancan (Canford Cliffs) finishing impressively to be a head back in third.
"He’s a nice horse, there was a bit of confusion about the blinkers before the race and I think he was a little lost without them,” Oliver said.
"I could see the Freedman horse (Starvirgo) getting a relatively comfortable run in front and I was wary about him getting it too easy, I didn’t want to be too far away from him on the turn.
"He’s a big scopey horse and he’s going to get much further. He just kept building momentum – I really like the horse and he’s going to improve with experience and as he gets over further.”
Purchased by Busuttin Racing out of the Coolmore draft at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Rockwithu is the third named foal and third winner out of the Listed Widden Stakes-winner Delta Girl (General Nediym).
From the famous Waikato Stud family descending from the Group II BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Star Of The Knight, Delta Girl had a Fastnet Rock filly last spring before being bred back to No Nay Never (USA).
