Bayliss continues roll aboard On the Rocks

On the Rocks (3 c Alamosa – Cold Shoulder, by Volksraad) gave trainers Mike Moroney & Pam Gerard their third Saturday winner in as many weeks with a dominant display in the $10,000 O’Connor Warren Insurance Brokers Maiden 1600 metres on 18 November at Tauranga.

Resurrect (Shinko King) had won on the same course a fortnight ago and The Boy Wonder (Cape Blanco) delivered stylishly on 11 November at Te Rapa.

In the saddle, as he had been aboard The Boy Wonder, Jake Bayliss gave another first-class performance.

Away well from barrier seven, Bayliss had On the Rocks in a perfect position behind the leader and once he switched off the heels of race favourite Vaudesir (Lonhro) in the straight the grey colt quickened clear and had the race shot to pieces a furlong out.

On footing upgraded to Good3, On the Rocks ran the 1600 metres in 1:36.9 and returned tote dividends of $6.00 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB.

“It was no real surprise as he had been working very well with The Boy Wonder,” Gerard said.

“He’s been scratched recently off wide draws and lightened up when off his tucker for a couple of days, but he goes pretty well this horse. Although possibly a bit deceiving, he certainly appreciated stepping up to a mile. He’s still learning and a bit green.

Gerard was complimentary of the ride by Bayliss, who notched his fourth win in 10 days since arriving in New Zealand.

“With Jake, he puts them there, they switch off, then quicken when he wants them to and they’re pulling up like they’ve hardly had a run, it’s unbelievable,” Gerard said.

On the Rocks is owned by Andrew Clark, David Sinn, Adrian Mathieson, Noel Gurney, Richards Sims, Mount R.S.A Racing Syndicate, and Ballymore (NZ).

A $40,000 purchase, he was selected by Paul Moroney, from the draft of Wellfield Stud, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, a descendant from the same family as Melbourne Cup winner and champion Australian staying horse Efficient (Zabeel).

Winning at his third start, On the Rocks followed his debut fifth over 1200 metres to subsequent winner Descendant (O’Reilly) at Te Rapa, with an improved effort over 1400 metres for fifth (good last 600m: 34.5) to highly regarded One Prize One Goal (Ekraar) at Te Aroha.

On the Rocks was strapped by Scott Magee.