Rockin’ Rupert launched another successful week for Geisel Park sire Winning Rupert when he landed a rewarding commission for favourite punters at Ascot last Saturday.
The Amelia Park Hcp (1200m) victory was an easy watch for Rockin’ Rupert’s supporters who backed the improving sprinter from $4.20 into a $2.90 public-elect. Given a gun run in the moving line by Laqdar Ramoly, he came off the back of Becalotti (A Lot) to win with something in hand for trainers Sean and Jake Casey.
“He had been a handful but is racing more consistently this time in.” Jake explained. “The race worked out perfectly and he found the line like a nice horse for ‘Lucky’. The signs are positive and he can take the next step at Belmont.”
Rockin’ Rupert (Photo / Western Racepix) was sourced by owner Wally Daly for $40,000 at the 2020 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale and he’s the final foal of New Zealand-bred broodmare Love The Rock (Fastnet Rock).
She won at Moonee Valley and is a half-sister to the dam of G3 SAJC Lee Stakes (1600m) winner Rhythm To Spare (Pins).
“He was beaten by a good horse (Chollima) first-up last month,” Ramoly said. “He relaxed and showed a good turn of foot today. I’m looking forward to riding him at Belmont.”
Winning Rupert expat Prime Mortar scored for third time in Hong Kong on Wednesday evening for trainer Tony Cruz. He tracked the speed for Angus Chung and won going away by two lengths to the good of Spicy Gold (So You Think) in the Garonne Hcp (1200m).
Prime Mortar (5g Winning Rupert – Call Me Sachi by Sebring) had been a $175,000 buy for Ross Lao (Upper Bloodstock) at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and he has now earned the equivalent of AUD413,000 for owner Calvin Chan Wai Pong.
Ascot trainer Simon Miller purchased his weanling half-sister by Nicconi for $48,000 at the Inglis Australian Foal Sale at Riverside Stables last week.
The Bjorn Baker-trained 2yo filly Magical Moments was Winning Rupert’s eye-catching run of the week when runner-up in the $200,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge (1100m) at Scone on Friday. She wasn’t in the call on the corner and made up ten lengths on eventual winner Overfull from the furlong.
Winning Rupert can strike black-type on Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival with Iowna Merc in the LR Ortensia Stakes (1100m) on Saturday. She is also trained by Bjorn Baker and has opened a $3.60 second-favourite despite drawing the outside marble for jockey Rachel King.
Winning Rupert will stand for an introductory $8,800 (inc GST) service fee at Geisel Park this year alongside Aysar, Manhattan Rain and All American.
