Fastnet Rock Colt Wins G2 Skyline

Talented colt Corniche (2c Fastnet Rock x Montsegur, by New Approach) will run for Godolphin in the Group I ATC Golden Slipper next month after securing his place with a stylish win in the Group II ATC Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Ridden by Brenton Avdulla for James Cummings, Corniche defeated Coolmore owned Snitzel colt Shinzo by one and a half lengths to record his first win at his fourth start.

Corniche is a Group I Blue Diamond Stakes defector after placing in both the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude and Listed Blue Diamond Preview.

"He's got the ability to put himself right in the race, he enjoyed getting to Randwick, and I think the form from Melbourne is excellent," Cummings said.

"You might think he succumbed late in proceedings in the Blue Diamond Prelude, but when you think about it, for Barber to get past him and Little Brose, they're too very smart two-year-olds.

"That's pretty good form for a Skyline here with some horses straight from maidens or relatively unexposed and not as tough as a horse like Corniche.

"Three weeks to the Slipper suits our horse. That's why I decided to run him in the Skyline today rather than wait another week. The three weeks suits him beautifully.

"He is a lovely athletic colt, and we'd have to be delighted with that performance, a nice cruisy win in that sort of Group Two heading into the Slipper in three weeks.

A homebred for Godolphin, Corniche is a half-brother to dual Group III winner Heresy from Group III VRC Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner Montsegur, who comes from the family of Fastnet Rock’s Group I winning son Merchant Navy.

A three-quarter sister to Group 1 WATC Winterbottom Stakes winner Paulele (and a half-sister to Group III ATC Canonbury Stakes-winner Tessera, Montsegur has five winners from six to race.

Corniche becomes the 192nd stakes-winner for champion stallion Fastnet Rock.