More Stakes Success for Fast 'n' Rocking

Second in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes and fifth in the Golden Slipper, Fast ‘n’ Rocking (7g Fastnet Rock x For the Good Times, by Hennessy) is still going strong at age seven after scoring a tenacious win over Religify in the Listed MRC Weekend Hussler Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. A hard horse to run down Religify was looking the likely winner of this 1400 metre contest with a furlong to run, but under determined riding from Luke Nolen, Fast ‘n’ Rocking prevailed to win by a neck. The victory ended a run of outs for the Hayes / Dabernig trained gelding, who had been winless since scoring in a Listed race at Caulfield on October 14 two years ago. “He’s been a bit frustrating for punters, but he’s won over $1.3 million, so he’s done a great job for his owners,” said Tom Dabernig.

Bred by Peter Devitt and the late Les Gordon, Fast ‘n’ Rocking was raised at Widden Stud and retained to race. He has the overall record of six wins and 12 placings from 52 starts with prizemoney of $1.4 million after his win today.

He is the best of four winners from stakes-winner For the Good Times. Fastnet Rock also featured in the Group I races at Caulfield with royally bred Shoals (3f Fastnet Rock x The Broken Shore, by Hussonet) finishing second in the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas, while Catchy (3f Fastnet Rock x Cats Whisker, by Fusaichi Pegasus) was a brave third in the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas against the colts. In the Group I MRC Toorak Handicap, Petrology (6g Fastnet Rock x Romantic River, by Irish River) was a strong finishing third.