Halle Rocks Caulfield
Sent out favourite for her first run in town, exciting filly Halle Rocks (3f Fastnet Rock x Face of the Earth, by Strategic) ran right up to expectation when blazing away to win as she pleased in fast time at Caulfield on Wednesday.
The Mick Price trained filly won easily on debut at Sale at the end of September, her potential confirmed with this powerhouse performance to win the 1000 metre sprint for three year-olds by more than three lengths in 56.68 seconds.
“There’s a lot to like about her and she’s always shown ability,” said Mick Price.
“It was hard to get a line on her at Sale on the heavy track, but it looked to be a good win and she’s proved it here.
“She has that extra gear at the end of a race and that’s a good sign, so we’ll head for some Black Type now, the Red Roses at Flemington on Oaks Day.”
The win was a great result for the filly’s owner breeders Dr Denis O’Brien and his wife Claire, who have enjoyed great success with her family.
Yet another classy filly for Fastnet Rock, Halle Rocks is the first foal of stakes-placed Strategic mare Face of the Earth, who was also bred by the O’Briens from their former classy filly Freckled Face.
The O’Briens raced Freckled Face in Brisbane with Lloyd Hickmott and have bred from her with tremendous success for years now, the speedy daughter of Polish Patriot (USA) leaving six winners from six foals to race led by Group III winner and sire Face Value as well as stakes-placed Face of the Earth and smart winners Rokocoko, Sun Kisses and Rock Face.
Freckled Face has a Haradasun two year-old filly which is going into training with Anthony Cummings, a Fastnet Rock yearling colt and she is due to Henrythenavigator.
Freckled Face is also booked to Coolmore new recruit Lookin At Lucky for this spring.
Face Of The Earth is due to foal to Duke Of Marmalade and is booked to Starspangledbanner, while she also has a yearling filly by Danehill Dancer and a two year-old filly by Choisir, who was bought by Anthony Cummings at this year’s Inglis Classic Sale for $60,000.
Coincidentally, the Choisir filly, Diamond Earth, made her debut in the previous race at Caulfield, showing plenty of pace before finishing midfield in the Listed MRC Inglis Debutants Stakes behind Jimando.
“Freckled Face was bought as a yearling on the Gold Coast for not a lot of money, but she has become an outstanding foundation mare for Denis and Claire,” said Colm Santry, who advises the O’Brien’s.
“Halle Rocks is a granddaughter of hers and she looks a very useful filly. Mick Price has always had a big opinion of her, so let’s hope that she can continue to press on to bigger and better things.”