150th SW for Champion sire Fastnet Rock

Tara Madgwick - Sunday October 27

Coolmore's champion sire Fastnet Rock sired his 150th stakes-winner on Saturday when progressive three year-old Sherwood Forest won the Group III War Decree stakes at Riccarton in New Zealand.

Sherwood Forest - Race ImagesSherwood Forest been touted as a serious contender for the Group I Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight and his admirers would have been well satisfied with his latest performance.

Settled well back by rider Troy Harris after missing away slightly at the jump, the Tony Pike-trained galloper was still spotting the leaders a conservative six lengths as the field approached the home bend.

Harris peeled Sherwood Forest to the centre of the track where a few huge bounds carried him to the front before he stalled off all challengers to win the one mile feature by a length.

Pike stable representative Dean Williams was delighted with the run as a final lead-up to the upcoming Group I challenge.

“It is fair to say I was a bit nervous when he was slow away,” Williams said.

“Troy got him some cover and then plenty of clear air and he was a touch too good for them.

“We are down here now; he is well and we know he loves the mile.”

TAB Bookmakers responded by tightening Sherwood Forest into an $8 second favourite for the 2000 Guineas.

A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for New Zealand Bloodstock, Sherwood Forest has won two of six starts and was foaled and raised at Coolmore.

A full brother to stakes-winner Royal Ocean, he is from Chasing Mammon, a half-sister by Giant’s Causeqay to stakes-winner Zelsnitz from the family of dual Group I winner and leading sire Holy Roman Emperor.

Chasing Mammon has a yearling colt by Starspangledbanner and has foaled this spring producing a colt by Fastnet Rock’s champion son Merchant Navy.


 

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Race Result - War Decree Stakes Gr3 1600m

Riccarton Park Track: Dead(6) Time: 1:38.39
1
Sherwood Forest
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: T N Harris 56.5
Fastnet Rock
2
0.8
Chuck A Luck
- 3g Niagara (AUS) x Boomchuckalucka (NZ) (Catbird (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Chowdhoory 56.5
3
1.0
All About Magic
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Rosecroft (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S R Weatherley 54.5
4
1.5
Sorceress
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Gelinda (NZ) (Generous (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: C W Johnson 54.5
5
1.7
Hot Tap
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Mrs Tappy (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: K & I Taplin Rdr: J J Fawcett 54.5
6
2.7
Bronte Beach
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Bronte Lass (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: A Comignaghi 54.5
7
3.7
Aotea Lad
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Corsage (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J D Laking 56.5
8
4.0
Lightning Jack
- 3g Per Incanto (USA) x La Petite (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: C A Campbell 56.5
9
5.4
Charlie Awesome
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Sweet Charlotte (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S L Wynne 56.5
10
5.7
Woodcote Lass
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Lady Woodcote (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: T R Moseley 54.5
11
6.5
Feel The Rush
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Zabex (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: K Asano 54.5
12
6.6
Far Site
- 3f Makfi (GB) x Perfect Vision (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: N F Ridley Rdr: L Callaway 54.5
13
22.6
The Tailors Niece
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Kelly Jane (NZ) (Decies (GB))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: Ms K Williams 54.5
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