Fastnet Colt Wins Merson Cooper Stakes

Tara Madgwick - Saturday November 18
The familiar navy blue Coolmore colours were carried to victory in the Listed MRC Merson Cooper Stakes at Sandown on Saturday by talented two year-old Fastnet Rock colt Long Leaf, a $750,000 NZB Premier purchase for BBA Ireland from the Curraghmore Stud draft.



Trained by the Hayes / Dabernig partnership, Long Leaf (image above Darryl Sherer) opened his account with a narrow victory at Morphettville last month and took plenty of benefit from that outing.

Long Leaf made $750,000 at Karaka - Trish DunnellStepped up to stakes class, Long Leaf jumped well from the outside gate for Kerrin McEvoy to go forward and sit outside the leader and was strong to the line when challenged by I Am Invincible colt Oohood.

He relished the battle sticking on with tenacity to hold off Oohood and win the 1000 metre scamper by a short head with Sanglier, a son of first season sire Albrecht grabbing third place.

"Adelaide was a nice kick off for him and he showed that day the more he got into the race the more the penny dropped," said Kerrin McEvoy.

"Today he was out quickly and always in control of the race. There was only a small margin at the finish, but he's a lovely colt that will keep improving."

Fastnet RockHaving been bought from Karaka and part-owned by Sir Peter Vela, Long Leaf may be under consideration for a start in the Karaka Million in January for which he is eligible with $100,000 in prizemoney already in the bank.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Long Leaf is the first winner for Frustrating, a winning Stravinsky (USA) daughter of blue hen Parfore, whose long list of stakes-winning offspring is headed by Group I winners Terravista, Tiger Tees, Group II winner Ball of Muscle and Singapore Hors eof the Year and sire Super Easy.

Frustrating has a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock and was covered by the champions ire again last spring.

Long Leaf is the 125th stakes-winner for Fastnet Rock, who will travel back to Ireland for anotgher Northern Hemisphere season in 2018.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.