Fastnet Rock's Eleven Eleven Wins $150,000 Christmas Classic
Champion sire Fastnet Rock was on fire in New Zealand on New Year’s Day and also at home where his Magic Millions contender Eleven Eleven (4g Fastnet Rock x Smokin' Alice, by Smoke Glacken) powered clear to win the $150,000 ATC Christmas Classic (1200m) at Canterbury.
Trained by Greg Hickman and ridden by Keagan Latham, Eleven Eleven was happy to settle back in the field and was lethal at the finish, charging home to win by a short neck.
“He hit the line super and has really grown into himself this time in work. Everything is going well and hopefully he can win again next time,” said Hickman, who will take Eleven Eleven to the Gold Coast for Magic Millions Day, but is still unsure of whether to run his charge over 1200 or 1400m.
“He’s healthy and happy and going super.”
A $230,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainer from the Edinburgh Park draft, Eleven Eleven ran brilliantly on Magic Millions day in 2020 beating all bar Alligator Blood to finish second in the $2million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
The race was later awarded to him when Alligator Blood returned a positive swab, providing a huge monetary boost for his big ownership group who will be champing at the bit to get back to the Gold Coast in January.
Eleven Eleven has the overall record of six wins and six placings from 18 starts with earnings just shy of $1.5million.
Bred and sold by Ian Smith of Edinburgh Park, Eleven Eleven is a full brother to stakes-placed War Memorial and three-quarter brother-in-blood to Group II MVRC Stutt Stakes winner Glenfiddich being from well bred import Smokin Alice.
Champion sire Fastnet Rock sired eight winners throughout Australasia and Hong Kong on New Year’s Day and has 18 entries for the 2021 Magic Millions.