Fastnet Rock Colt on Track for Millions

A colt with a pedigree and a big future, Cao Cao (2c Fastnet Rock x Serenada, by Encosta de Lago) will head to the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in January as a leading prospect following a hugely impressive win in the juvenile event at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The son of Fastnet Rock debuted with a luckless second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington on November 5. The Mick Price-trained colt was again not the best to begin, but he quickly gathered pace for Mark Zahra settling in fifth as Blackwolf Run set a solid speed. Angled between runners Cao Cao let down impressively to race away for a two and three-quarter length win in the 1000 metre scamper. "He's a tough colt and he's just got to be kept up for the Magic Millions now," Price said. "His prizemoney should be enough to probably get a run but the trick will be to nurse him in. Hopefully, he has enough money and we don't have to run him again. "We've got to get him up there, it's a tough ask and I think we've made a bit of use of him to get him to here. "He's a tough colt with a personality, he needs a bit of discipline every now and then but we just have to work out our plan to get him to the Gold Coast." Cao Cao carries the colours of Sun Bloodstock who purchased him for $350,000 out of the Baramul Stud consignment at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Bred by Gerry Harvey, he is the third foal of the four-time winning Encosta de Lago mare Serenada a half-sister to Group II winner and near millionaire First Command and the Hong Kong Group II winner One World. This also the family of Group I winner River Dove and Group II winner Headwater.