Rockfast
Singapore Turf Club
Trainer Mark Walker is still playing the conservative card even after Rockfast took out the $80,000 Gingerbread Man 2011 Stakes over 2000m on Sunday.
The New Zealander had all along been careful about not overselling the Fastnet Rock four-year-old as a Singapore Derby prospect, even if at this stage the Te Akau Racing Stable-owned gelding is his only eligible contender.
He thought the 65-point rater needed to beat $17 favourite Zip A Dee Doo Dah, himself a Derby aspirant, on Sunday first, let alone picking up more points before he can face the starter in the glamour showpiece on July 10.
Ridden by back-from-suspension jockey Manoel Nunes, Rockfast ($30) was simply impressive when he emerged from the rear division at the 300m to go and hold at bay all comers in the Kranji Stakes C race.
It was a Kiwi trifecta as Zip A Dee Doo Dah (NZ) (Cecconi) lost no marks as he had to thread a passage through to settle for third one length off Air Force One (NZ) (Pentire) in second place. Both placegetters are also in the running for the Derby.
When asked if the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge and ultimately the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) were in Rockfast's sights, Walker's answer was yes and no.
"He won't go for the 1400m leg (Stewards' Cup on May 29) and I'll see how he pulls up," said Walker who has yet to win a Derby, here or even in New Zealand in spite of his 20 Group 1 wins there.
"He's won well today but it's still a big step-up to go towards the Derby. I thought No 2 (Zip A Dee Doo Dah) would be hard to beat today.
"Nunes rode him for luck and they got the split. He then motored home for a nice win.
"I think the rain that came yesterday took the jar out of the track and that definitely helped him."
Nunes was delighted he had come back a winner after his enforced holiday (four-day ban on careless riding), but just like Walker, would not stick his neck out about anything loftier for Rockfast.
"It's beautiful to get a win early back from suspension. Can't get any better than this," said Nunes.
"From his good barrier, he settled in midfield, and I was able to move along the rails. I had plenty of horse left and took my time.
"But when Corey Brown's horse (Air Force One) and John Powell's horse (Smart Lad) started to drop, I had to go around them. He then quickened really well and hit the line strongly.
"He's a horse that took a while to acclimatise. He's much better now but we need to see more improvement from him to go for a race like the Derby.
"But he deserves a chance at it and let's hope he keeps going in that direction."
A $410,000 purchase from the draft of Curraghmore Stud at the 2013 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Rockfast has now recorded three wins and two placings for stakes earnings past the $130,000 mark for his connections.
The New Zealander had all along been careful about not overselling the Fastnet Rock four-year-old as a Singapore Derby prospect, even if at this stage the Te Akau Racing Stable-owned gelding is his only eligible contender.
He thought the 65-point rater needed to beat $17 favourite Zip A Dee Doo Dah, himself a Derby aspirant, on Sunday first, let alone picking up more points before he can face the starter in the glamour showpiece on July 10.
Ridden by back-from-suspension jockey Manoel Nunes, Rockfast ($30) was simply impressive when he emerged from the rear division at the 300m to go and hold at bay all comers in the Kranji Stakes C race.
It was a Kiwi trifecta as Zip A Dee Doo Dah (NZ) (Cecconi) lost no marks as he had to thread a passage through to settle for third one length off Air Force One (NZ) (Pentire) in second place. Both placegetters are also in the running for the Derby.
When asked if the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge and ultimately the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) were in Rockfast's sights, Walker's answer was yes and no.
"He won't go for the 1400m leg (Stewards' Cup on May 29) and I'll see how he pulls up," said Walker who has yet to win a Derby, here or even in New Zealand in spite of his 20 Group 1 wins there.
"He's won well today but it's still a big step-up to go towards the Derby. I thought No 2 (Zip A Dee Doo Dah) would be hard to beat today.
"Nunes rode him for luck and they got the split. He then motored home for a nice win.
"I think the rain that came yesterday took the jar out of the track and that definitely helped him."
Nunes was delighted he had come back a winner after his enforced holiday (four-day ban on careless riding), but just like Walker, would not stick his neck out about anything loftier for Rockfast.
"It's beautiful to get a win early back from suspension. Can't get any better than this," said Nunes.
"From his good barrier, he settled in midfield, and I was able to move along the rails. I had plenty of horse left and took my time.
"But when Corey Brown's horse (Air Force One) and John Powell's horse (Smart Lad) started to drop, I had to go around them. He then quickened really well and hit the line strongly.
"He's a horse that took a while to acclimatise. He's much better now but we need to see more improvement from him to go for a race like the Derby.
"But he deserves a chance at it and let's hope he keeps going in that direction."
A $410,000 purchase from the draft of Curraghmore Stud at the 2013 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Rockfast has now recorded three wins and two placings for stakes earnings past the $130,000 mark for his connections.