Fastnet Colt Takes NZ Two Thousand Guineas

Australian bred Fastnet Rock colt Pop ‘n’ Rock (3c Fastnet Rock x Popsy, by Sir Tristram) defeated champion filly Anabandana to win the Group I New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton on Saturday. Astute trainer Jason Bridgman was expected to win the Guineas for David Ellis’s powerful Te Akau stable, but the majority of punters thought he would do it with previously unbeaten Redoute’s Choice colt Burgundy. As it turned out Rock ‘n’ Pop had other ideas and when Burgundy wilted in the run to the post, the talented colt dashed through a gap and powered to the line to win the 1600 metre classic by half a length from last season’s champion juvenile Anabandana. A $1million purchase for Jayven See from the Esker Lodge draft at the 2010 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Rock ‘n’ Pop is raced by the Te Akau Rock ‘n’ Pop Syndicate and has won two races and run second twice from just four starts earning $252,900 in prizemoney. A three-quarter brother to stakes-winner Lilakyn, Rock ‘n’ Pop is one of eight winners from Group I New Zealand Derby winner Popsy, who is by champion sire Sir Tristram. Rock ‘n’ Pop is the 22nd stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock and is his seventh Group I winner joining this season’s boom fillies Atlantic Jewel and Mosheen, as well as Wanted, Irish Lights, Rock Classic and Lone Rock.