Champion sire Fastnet Rock was in hot form in New Zealand on Saturday with a stakes-winning double at Pukekohe where exciting two year-old Unition won the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 5K Bonus 2YO Stakes (1100m) followed by rugged stayer In A Twinkling taking out the Group III Ssangyong Counties Cup (2100m).
In a Twinkling - image Trish Dunnell
Allowed some soft sectionals throughout the middle stages, Bosson upped the tempo on the Fastnet Rock four-year-old with 600m to run and immediately had his nearest challengers struggling to respond.
Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, In A Twinkling registered his third career victory at his 17th start when surging to the line to win by more than a length.
Trainer Jamie Richards was delighted with the victory by a horse who had taken time to deliver on his three-year-old form which saw him finish runner-up in the Group I New Zealand Derby (2400m) while also placing fifth in the Gr.1 ATC Derby (2400m).
“He’s got really good form as a three-year-old although sometimes you question how genuine he is,” Richards said.
“In front, rolling along and setting his own tempo is probably the way to ride him.
“He’s had a bit of a frustrating run of seconds and been unlucky here and there so this is really good for the team.
“He had very good form in Australia so he is a fair horse but you wouldn’t play cards with him.
Champion sire Fastnet Rock had two new stakes-winners in New Zealand on Saturday
Purchased out of the Curraghmore draft at the 2017 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for $250,000 by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis, In A Twinkling is raced by the Te Akau Fastnet Moment syndicate and holds a nomination for the Group III NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham in January along with the Group I Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in March.
Foaled and raised in Australia at Coolmore, In a Twinkling is a half-brother to stakes-winner I’m Incredible from multiple Group III winner Moment in Time, a tough and talented stayer that won up to 2800m.
Henley Park sold the full brother to In a Twinkling at Karaka Book 1 this year for $250,000 to Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock
Moment in Time has foaled this spring producing a filly by Fastnet Rock.
In a Twinkling the 153rd stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock, whose 152nd came earlier in the day with Unition, Read about him here.
