Another Fastnet Rock Group I Juvenile
A rising star for champion sire Fastnet Rock, Prince Fawaz (2c Fastnet Rock x Lady Paget, by Testa Rossa) lived up to his potential with a tenacious head win over previously unbeaten colt Kubrick in Saturday's Group I BRC JJ Atkins Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
With heavy fog causing long flight delays in Sydney on Saturday morning, Prince Fawaz’s trainer Anthony Cummings elected to stay home to watch Prince Fawaz claim the trainers second winner of the Group 1 feature, 15 years after Outback Prince.
Kerrin McEvoy had Prince Fawaz midfield, one off the fence, which forced Kubrick to face the breeze three wide and it proved the difference at the finish.
John Allen drove Kubrick to what looked a winning lead in the straight but McEvoy was biding his time on Prince Fawaz who found a seam between Kubrick and Strasbourg. Once in clear air, he pinned his ears back and charged to the line to claim a decisive win.
"We got a nice trail, but they didn't go that quick the first half of the race and I thought about burrowing out and getting him clear at the 700, but I sat tight and the horse did the rest," McEvoy said.
"I love coming up to Brisbane it's been a good hunting ground for me I've had a number a Group wins up here, couldn't be happier to get another Group 1.
"I've got to give a huge thanks to Anthony Cummings who trusted me with riding the horse for the first time today, it's nice to get the job done for him and hopefully, get back on this horse.
"They're quite rowdy the boys, I'm excited at Group 1 number seventy-four so I can imagine how they're feeling after their first Group 1."
Fifth in the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes to Castelvecchio at just his second start, Prince Fawaz was luckless when unplaced in a maiden at Newcastle before staking his claim for the JJ Atkins with a dominant performance over 1400 metres at Randwick.
A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase by his trainer from the Baramul Stud draft, Prince Fawaz is the second winner from Lady Paget, who was also trained by Cummings as was her half-brother the Group I winner and sire Casino Prince, with the Group III winner Tagus and stakes-winners Law of the Land and Metallurgical. All four stakes-winning sons of the stakes-placed Last Tycoon mare Lady Capel.
A colt with a stallion’s pedigree, Prince Fawaz becomes the 37thGroup 1 winner and 147thstakes-winner for Fastnet Rock.