Easter Group Double for Fastnet Rock

Champion sire Fastnet Rock was in hot form on Easter Saturday with his star filly Tuscan Queen (3f Fastnet Rock x Tavarnelle, by Zabeel) scoring a glorious victory in the Group II WATC Derby (2400m).

A homebred for Bob and Sandra Peters prepared by Grant and Alana Williams, Tuscan Queen has been untouchable in recent starts winning the Listed WATC Natasha Stakes (2200m) and then the Group III WATC WA Oaks (2400m).

Sent out an odds on favourite in the Derby, she demolished the opposition to win by nearly five lengths, her most impressive win to date.

Her overall record now stands at six wins and a second from 10 starts with prizemoney just shy of $600,000.

A $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft for Belmont Bloodstock on behalf of Mr and Mrs Peters, Tuscan Queen is the best of three winners from three foals to race from Group III winning Zabeel mare Tavarnelle, who comes from the family of Group I winner Zirna and Group III winner Crafty Irna.

Bred by the Crismale family’s Matrix Bloodstock, Tuscan Queen keeps the record perfect for Tavarnelle, who has a yearling filly and weanling filly to follow, both by American Pharoah.

Lime Country Thoroughbreds as agent sold the American Pharoah half-sister to Tuscan Queen at Inglis Easter earlier this week for $460,000 to Belmont Bloodstock and it seems likely she will race in the same colours as her famous half-sister.

Fastnet Rock enjoyed a Group double on Saturday with Irish bred stayer Inverloch (6g Fastnet Rock x Ideal, by Galileo) taking out the Group III MRC Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the OTI Racing owned stayer led all the way and was tenacious to the line in scoring a half neck win.

With seven wins and six placings from 23 starts, Inverloch has won over $480,000.

He is a half-brother to stakes-placed Harpocrates and his dam Ideal is a three-quarter-sister by Galileo to Champion 3YO and Group I producing sire Camelot.