G3 win for unstoppable Fastnet Rock

A brilliant few days in Europe for Fastnet Rock continued on Wednesday evening when Dermot Weld sent out Zhukova (4f Fastnet Rock-Nightime, by Galileo) to score in Group company at Naas. Carrying the colours of Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, successful in last season’s G1 Oaks with Fastnet Rock filly Qualify (4f Fastnet Rock-Perihelion, by Galileo), Zhukova also looks destined for big things after winning the G3 Blue Wind Stakes by seven and a half lengths. Out of G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Nightime, Zhukova was bred by Weld's late mother Marguerite. "That was an impressive performance. My present thoughts are to leave her off now for a summer break, and hopefully she will make up into a Group 1 filly in the autumn,” said Dermot Weld. "She's a very big filly, still unfurnished, and when she fills into her frame she will be a serious contender for any of those fillies and mares races. The G1 Fillies and Mares race on Champions Day at Ascot could well be a target.” Zhukova’s win came three days after One Foot In Heaven (4c Fastnet Rock-Pride, by Peintre Celebre) won the G3 Prix d’Hedouville in France. Three days earlier, Tres Rock Glory (3f Fastnet Rock-Tres Ravi, by Monsun) was a stakes winner at Lyon Parilly, while last Wednesday Somehow (3f Fastnet Rock-Alexandrova, by Sadler’s Wells) won the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester.