Trish Dunell
Multiple stakes winner On The Rocks may head across the Tasman in the coming months in a bid to boost his stallion prospects.
The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained entire was victorious in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday and his connections are keen to add to that tally, with the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) a likely target.
“I would like to start him in the Bonecrusher, but obviously still being an entire, Mike had thoughts of maybe going straight to the Doncaster. But we are just unsure of how good he is and that is a big step up and it’s a hard race,” Gerard said.
“There are plenty of options for him over the next few months, we can do a number of things. We’ll just get him through this week and we’ll make a plan from there.”
Gerard, who recorded her first Group One victory as a trainer with Saturday’s win, said On The Rocks has pulled up well after the win.
“He seemed quite happy in the paddock the next day,” she said.
“He ate up and was bouncing around the paddock like he hadn’t had a run. He went up and had a bit of a trot this morning and I really couldn’t fault him.”