HK Stakes-Winner for Fastnet Rock

Fastnet Rock can do no wrong at present, adding a new stakes-winner to his tally in Hong Kong when Captain Sweet(4g Fastnet Rock x Strega, by Lake Coniston) scored a narrow win in the Sha Tin Vase HK Gr 3. The four-year-old gelding was conceding 15lbs to the runner-up, but was still able to edge clear to take the win by a short-head under Brett Prebble in a time of 1m 09.54s for the 1200 metres. His trainer John Moore has earmarked the HKG3 Prince Jewellery & Watch Premier Cup (1400m) on 17 June for Captain Sweet before a well-earned summer rest. “I thought he was going to win easier and then courage just got him over the line,” said Prebble, who rode a treble on the day. “He was more comfortable today than last time, because the ground was a little softer – he wasn’t impressive but he was all heart. Next season, after a nice long break, I think we’ll see a horse with more upside to him.” A modest $60,000 purchase from the Glastonbury Farm draft at the 2009 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Captain Sweet is one of four winners from the Lake Coniston mare Strega, a half-sister to stakes-placed Kimester and Timeless Miss from the family of globetrotting Aussie bred sprinter War Artist. Captain Sweet is the 32nd stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, who will stand as the most expensive sire in Australia this season at a fee of $220,000.