Another New Stakes-Winner for Fastnet

The transformation of talented gelding Callanish (4g Fastnet Rock x Dancing Doll, by Dance Floor) from barrier rogue to stakes-winner was completed on Sunday when he captured the $153,000 Listed Darley Seymour Cup. Prepared by Mick Price, Callanish has been beautifully placed on his way through the grades winning seven on the trot before facing up to his first crack at Black Type. He handled the class rise as expected, leading for most of the race and then fighting on for regular rider Dale Smith to win by half a length. "Full credit to the horse and Mick and a big thanks to all the owners and the people behind the scenes,” said Smith, who has ridden Callanish at every start. "It makes the job a lot easier when we have got them, that’s for sure. "It’s well documented that the horse has been a little bit awkward in the gates. It just goes to show that a little person such as myself can get the chocolates and get the job done.” A $320,000 purchase from the Curraghmore Stud draft at the 2010 NZB Premier Yearling Sale for his trainer, Callanish has won each of his eight starts to date earning $247,551 in prizemoney. He is a half-brother to Group III winner Dancing Daggers and is from Dancing Doll, who comes from the family of Group I winners Blevic, Universal Prince and Universal Queen. Callanish is the 38th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock, who added another new stakes-winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday when Hvasstan won the Group III MRC Norman Robinson Stakes.