Fastnet Firing Through Spring

For the fifth consecutive Saturday, Fastnet Rock delivered a stakes-winner with talented mare Gybe (4m Fastnet Rock x Great Notice, by Nureyev) taking out the Listed ATC Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill. The Anthony Cummings trained mare won the Listed AJC Gimcrack Stakes on debut as a two year-old, but seemed to lose her way last season before recapturing her best form during the winter. Reeling off three straight wins during June and July, Gybe rediscovered her confidence in lesser grades and then put in the big strides when it counted to win the Sheraco Stakes over 1100 metres by a half neck. “She had three good wins over the winter then had a freshen-up at the farm and she has been able to come here to today and step up to this grade,” said Anthony Cummings. “I thought I would keep her to 1100m and after Bossy's comments last time blinkers seemed the logical thing to do with her. “It looked a good race with good speed. She can sit on the speed and kick so it was a good result.” Bred by Reavill Farm, Gybe was sold at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $100,000 and then fetched the same amount when re-offered there as a yearling by Oakwood Farm and secured by Anthony Cummings. She has now won five races and placed four times from 12 starts earning $317,430 in prizemoney for her owners Dorrington Farm and partners. A half-sister to last season’s Champion NZ Two Year Old and dual Group I winner Anabandana, Gybe is one of five winners from the Nureyev mare Great Notice, a full sister to Nureyev’s Girl, the dam of Kiwi Group I winner King’s Rose, who was also a winner on Saturday when taking out the Group II MVRC Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley. Great Notice is due to foal to Fastnet Rock this spring. Fastnet Rock narrowly missed a Group I victory when his high class son Smart Missile (3c Fastnet Rock x Comical Smile, by Comic Strip) went down by a short neck in the Group I ATC Golden Rose, while in Melbourne he appears to have another potential Group I performer in Atlantic Jewel (3f Fastnet Rock x Regard, by Zabeel). The Mark Kavanagh trained filly made it two wins in as many starts when she flew home from last to win as she pleased in the 1200 metre open fillies event at Moonee Valley and is now headed for the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas next month. A $320,000 purchase from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2010 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Atlantic Jewel runs in the Coolmore colours and is the first living foal of the well bred Zabeel mare Regard, a grand-daughter of Group I Cheveley Park Stakes winner Pass the Peace.