Fascinating Rocks in Derby Trial for Fastnet

The Dermot Weld-trained Fascinating Rock (3c Fastnet Rock-Miss Polaris, by Polar Falcon) booked his ticket to the G1 Investec Derby at Epsom after enjoying victory in the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday. The son of Fastnet Rock, home-bred by Newtown Anner Stud, suffered interference in the contest when losing out by a head, and was awarded the race in the stewards’ room. “I don’t want to win any race that way but interference happened and I thought he was the best horse on the day. It was a very messy race and Pat (Smullen) was adamant that the interference cost him the race,” Weld told irishracing.com. “He is a big, long-striding horse and after they quickened off the home bend he lost his hind-end momentum. Pat did the right thing and gave him a few seconds to find his stride. I’ve been teaching him to settle and switch off. Today was the first time he was really asked to sprint, and it just took him a few strides to react. I’d say it’s pretty definite that he will go to Epsom, and he certainly learned a lot today.”