STAKES WIN FOR ROCH 'N' HORSE

Stakes placed mare Roch ‘N’ Horse (4 m Per Incanto – Rochfort, by Cecconi) went a step further with a smart victory in the $50,000 Power Turf Sprint (Listed, 1200m) on Saturday at Hastings.

The winner of three from eight had staged a big finish for second in the Rating 74 1200 metres on Derby Day (7 March) at Ellerslie, emulated for nose margin defeat in the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on 20 March at Trentham, and bounced back after being unsuited by Slow9 footing in the Flying Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Easter Saturday (3 April) at Awapuni.

Although drawn wide (10), Roch ‘N’ Horse was able to secure a reasonable position in midfield and she flattened out with a very good sprint when asked to extend in the straight.

“Roch ‘N’ Horse too good, it’s a proper racehorse,” said commentator Tony Lee, as she crossed the line.

On Dead5 footing, Roch ‘N’ Horse ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.7 and paid $6.00 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Roch ‘N’ Horse is from the family of well performed gallopers Travolta, Weissmuller, both by Handsome Ransom, and Harlow Gold (Tavistock). Travolta, a dual listed winner and Group Three placed, won six races from 1300m to 2400m, Weissmuller, a Group Three winner, won eight races from 1200m – 2100m, and Harlow Gold was runner-up in the VRC Oaks (Gr. 1, 2500m) and third in the Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m).

Little Avondale Stud proprietor Sam Williams syndicated three horses at the time, all debut winners, and Roch ‘N’ Horse is raced by Adrian Cassin, Paul Collett, Mrs Rosemary & Stuart McLeod, William Parkinson, Graeme Pickering, Grant Sharman, Michael Smith, Robert Wilson, and Little Avondale Trust.

“She’ll fit nicely into the broodmare band as a stakes winner and we’re all very happy,” Williams said. “We syndicated Roch ‘N’ Horse, Keke Star, and Belluci Babe. Unfortunately, Keke Star went amiss, but Belluci Babe won on Thursday in Australia, and won four from seven, and now this girl is a stakes winner.

“It’s a really nice (pedigree) page and a stakes win stands her in good stead to further her career as a broodmare when she gets there. She’s coming home tomorrow for a break, as she doesn’t like rain-affected tracks.

“Pam (Gerard) has done a fantastic job, nursing her through a couple of niggling injuries, and placed her well.

“The apprentice, Ashvin Goindasamy rode a very good race on her. He kept his cool and kept his path in the straight, keeping Lisa (Allpress) in a pocket, and she loves Roch ‘N’ Horse as well having won on her.

“We are short of jockeys in this country, and Ashvin has won on her, while another good apprentice, Kozzi Asano, was second on her in the Lightning Stakes at Trentham. Both have ridden smart races on her and we’ve been thrilled.

“The win gave (Little Avondale Stud resident sire) Per Incanto his 19th stakes win. 40 stakes performers and 16 of them this season. He’s having a sterling season; leading the Hong Kong and Singapore premierships for individual winners, and highest strike rate for any New Zealand stallion in the Australia General Sires’ List with 62% runners to winners.

“At the sales, overall, Per Icanto averaging 11 times his service fee in his career of eight years of sales.

Roch ‘N’ Horse was strapped by Hari Singh.