Group Double for Fastnet Rock

Progressive colt Petrology (3c Fastnet Rock x Romantic River, by Irish River) scored a dominant win in the Group II MRC Sandown Guineas on Saturday. A promising winner on debut at Mornington back in March for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Petrology had struggled to translate talent into results after that win until breaking the ice with a determined win in Listed company at Flemington during Cup Week. Obviously that win may have made the penny drop for this at times enigmatic colt, who was seen to his best advantage when storming home from last to win the 1600 metre feature by two and a quarter lengths. On the verge of being gelded before his last start win, Petrology may now be looking to Group I goals in the autumn. “That could have been the nutcracker that race, but he might have saved them. He’s pretty valuable now,” Hayes said. “He’s certainly not getting gelded. He’s still a handful, my eldest son handled him today and did a good job with him. “That was actually the win of a good horse, a weight-for-age horse going forward.” Hayes said the stable would give Petrology a chance to prove himself at the top of his age group in the autumn. “I’m really excited about him and we’ll put him aside now. He’s stepped up on the big stage twice and he might be an Australian Guineas horse,” Hayes said. A $200,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Lindsay Park Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft, Petrology has three wins and two seconds from nine starts with prizemoney of $339,300. Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Petrology is a three-quarter brother to Group I winner and $1.9 million earner Aqua D’Amore and is one of seven winners from 21 year-old Romantic River (USA). Petrology is one of 73 stakes-winners for champion sire Fastnet Rock, who made it a back to back Group race double when Fast ‘n’ Rocking (4g Fastnet Rock x For the Good Times, by Hennessy) won the very next race, the Group III MRC Kevin Heffernan Stakes. Also trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Fast ‘n’ Rocking surged to the line to outpoint Generalife and win the 1300 metre sprint by a half head. Backing up from an unlucky third at Flemington last Saturday, Fast ‘n’ Rocking took his record to four wins from 22 starts with prizemoney topping $727,000. Second in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes at two and fifth in the Golden Slipper, Fast ‘n’ Rocking looked to be a rising star as a spring three year old last year with a brilliant win in the Group III MRC McNeil Stakes, but lost form shortly after. Gelded before his current preparation, Fast ‘n’ Rocking has regained his commitment to winning and can doubtless add to his tally in coming months and years. Bred by Peter Devitt and the late Les Gordon, Fast ‘n’ Rocking is the best of three winners from stakes-winning Hennessy mare For the Good Times, who was covered last year by Fastnet Rock. Fastnet Rock is currently leading the Australian General Sires List with progeny earnings topping $4million and 11 stakes-winners this season.