17th Stakes-Winner for Fastnet Rock

The Prince Jewellery Premier Cup HK Gr 3 at Sha Tin on Sunday was won in good style by progressive gelding Sichuan Success (4g Fastnet Rock x Coureuse, by Tierce). Prepared by John Size and partnered by Douglas Whyte, Sichuan Success looked a star on the rise when winning easily at his previous start in Class Two company after a short break. He maintained that good form, powering home to win the 1400 metre sprint by half a length, taking his overall record to six wins and two seconds from just 10 starts. “You've got to think that winning a Group Three today he will be able to get into any race we want to run in - we don't have to worry about that now - and it was pleasing to see him go on with the job after his big first-up win," Size told South China Morning Post. "He was impressive that day with a big weight and it was the sort of run that could have done him some harm for next time, but he's come back to the races today and gone ahead and that's particularly encouraging." Sichuan Success is already a winner at 1,600m and that is where Size will be aiming with him when he returns in a few months. "I think he looks like he will be at his best at a mile. Regardless, they are our best races so he will definitely need to go that way," Size added. Purchased from the Yarraman Park draft for $135,000 at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by John Foote Bloodstock, Sichuan Success was bred by Andrew Bowcock and is the ninth foal of terrific producer Coureuse. He is a half-brother to stakes-placed Tom Coureuse and Pirouettes as well as good HK galloper Yellow Diamond, his dam a daughter of Magic Millions winner Dancer’s Joy. Sichuan Success is the 17th stakes-winner for top class young sire Fastnet Rock, who made it a stakes-winning double on the weekend with Born to Rock (3f Fastnet rock x Call Me Pretty, by Peaks and Valleys), taking the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich in Saturday.