Rock Mare Wins Classic

Fastnet Rock posted his 15th Australian stakes-winner this season when the Gai Waterhouse trained mare Upon This Rock (4m Fastnet Rock x Joleur, by Bite the Bullet) scored a surprise win in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on Saturday.

An easy winner at Warwick Farm on April 4, Upon This Rock was sent across to Adelaide last start for the Group II SAJC Queen of the South Stakes in which she finished fifth, but she bounced back from that effort with a career best performance.

Upon This Rock upstaged her more fancied stablemate More Strawberries, surging home from back in the field to score a stylish win in the 1400 metre event over Lonhro’s sister Shannara, who won this race last year.

Upon This Rock was bought by James Bester Bloodstock for $225,000 from the Willow Park draft at the 2009 Magic Millions Yearling Sale and is raced by Laurie Macri, who shares in the ownership of that other star Fastnet Rock filly Atlantic Jewel.

She has the overall record of five wins and 10 placings from 24 starts with prizemoney of $337,940.

Upon This Rock is a half-sister to stakes-winners Gaze On and Bhutane Dane, so is the third stakes-winner for outstanding producer Joleur.

A daughter of prolific sire of winners Bite the Bullet (USA), Joleur is a sister to Group III winner Mica’s Pride, the dam of Group II winner Varenna Miss and stakes-winner Silently.

Joleur is also a half-sister to stakes-winning Fastnet Rock three year-old Amah Rock, who raced on Saturday finishing a game second to Mental in the Group III BRC BTC Classic at Doomben.

The current yearling from Joleur, a colt by Choisir made $160,000 when snapped up by Brad Spicer at Magic Millions earlier this year.

Upon This Rock is the 31st stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, who is leading the Australian General Sires List by earnings and stakes-winners.