Flash Max added his name to the list of late-season winners by Awesome Rock when racing on debut in the Electrical Consultancy Maiden (1200m) at Pinjarra on Thursday.
In a wide-open race with a half-dozen runners priced between $5 and $7.50, Flash Max was a handful for Troy Turner but was good enough to get there in the last bound despite racing wide throughout and laying in down the straight.
“That was a tough win at his first outing,” trainer Justine Erkelens said following the narrow victory over Hymns Of Eladdair (Oratorio). “It was a great ride by Troy. He’s a big boy and still has plenty to learn.”
Photo / Western Racpix
Flash Max (3g Awesome Rock – Ellora May by Trade Fair) is the first foal from a mare who completed a Belmont hat-trick for Erkelens in June 2016.
Second-dam Brilliant Bon Bon (Ron Bon) is a sister to LR Crawford Stakes winner Beautiful Bon Bon.
Erkelens also has Awesome Rock’s unraced 2yo filly Own The Queen on the books at Muchea. She cost $57,500 from Western Breeders Alliance at the Perth Magic Millions and is part-owned by the ‘Golden Sixty’ Own The Dream Class of 2022 Team.
Awesome Rock is a Group 1 Flemington-winning son of Fastnet Rock and his current 3yo division is headed by Awesome John (G2 WATC Derby) and Red Sun Sensation (G3 SAJC Chairman’s Stakes).
His 3yo winners earlier this month includes the Neville Parnham-trained filly Truly Awesome who won the WA Spirit Of Racing Award Maiden (1200m) at Belmont on July 5. She was a $130,000 buy for a syndicate managed by Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo and is a sister to Awesome Rock’s LR J C Roberts Stakes (1800m) winner Rokanori.
“She was immature and I gave her a good, long spell earlier this season,” Parnham recalled. “She has ability and finished powerfully to win her maiden. I quite like her.”
Awesome Rock stands at Gold Front Thoroughbreds for a $9,900 fee alongside Leonardo Da Hinchi ($3,000). Both fees (inc GST).
