Improving Gleneagles Colt Gains Easy Maiden Win

The progressive Highland Rocker (3c Gleneagles - Cay Dancer, by Danehill Dancer) produced a smart performance to get off the mark at Ripon on Thursday afternoon.

Third on his sole two-year-old start, John and Thady Gosden’s charge finished second on reappearance earlier this month and was sent off favourite as he stepped up to a mile and a half on Thursday. Robert Havlin rode the bay to track the leader and asked him to quicken approaching two furlongs out. Going clear before the final furlong, he was eased close home to win by three and a half lengths.

Owned by Roy Van Gelder and N Wrigley, Highland Rocker was bought by Norris/Huntingdon as a yearling for 105,000gns. Bred by Barnett Ltd, the son of Gleneagles provides an important update for his Saxon Warrior half-brother who fetched 78,000gns at last year’s foal sales.