Lowland Stakes to Planet Rock

High class filly Planet Rock (3f Fastnet Rock x Akris, by Zabeel) has been a model of consistency in New Zealand this season and if she’s not winning feature races, she’s not far away either and at Hastings on Saturday it was her turn to shine with a resounding victory in the Group III Lowland Stakes. Prepared by the husband and wife team of Peter and Dawn Williams, Planet Rock revelled in the slow conditions, charging away over the concluding stages to win the 2100 metre staying test by three lengths. It was the third stakes win for Planet Rock, who has the overall record of five wins and four placings from 11 starts with prizemoney of $392,225. A $290,000 purchase from the Wellfield Lodge draft at the 2010 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Planet Rock is the first foal of the stoutly bred Zabeel mare Akris, a half-sister to two mile stakes-winner Gorky Park from the family of Group III winner Galroof, the dam of spring stakes-winners Pinnacles and Sabrage. Planet Rock is one of 26 stakes-winners for Fastnet Rock, who is leading the Australian General Sires List by earnings and has been on fire at the yearling sales this year having produced the top seller at Magic Millions, NZB Premier and Inglis Premier. His top class son Rock ‘n’ Pop (3c Fastnet Rock x Popsy, by Sir Tristram), already a Group I winner of the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas, was also in action on Saturday finishing a gallant second in the Group I New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.