Luck didn’t play any part of Awesome Fluke’s demanding victory in the Vengeance Of Rain Hcp (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The Ricky Yiu-trained WA import worked overtime outside the leader and had plenty in reserve when Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni asked him to repel a late sortie from Irish import Eighteen Carat.
Awesome Fluke, pictured in a trial at Happy Valley, is a son of Gold Front Thoroughbreds stallion Awesome Rock and he won the G2 WA Derby (2400m) in April last year when known as Awesome John. Sent to Hong Kong in July, he failed to strike in 7 starts for Caspar Fownes before transferring to Ricky Yiu in April.
He turned the corner for an encouraging third to Flamingo Trillion first-up for Yiu at Happy Valley in May and the Group 1 trainer believes there’s more to come after Sunday’s breakthrough. “He’s a typical stayer and 2000m-plus is his go. With that win and his rating, I think there’s still a bit of upside.
“Even before I got him, he was starting to get better and the rating is in his favour. He’s a more relaxed horse after being in Hong Kong for a while and I was the lucky recipient.”
Awesome Fluke was bred by Gold Front owners Alan and Sue Olive from NZ-bred mare Jayquin Star (O’Reilly) who had won a maiden at Kyneton. She was trained by Leon & Troy Corstens who also prepared Awesome Rock to a Group 1 triumph at Flemington. They also bred from the mare early on as did Awesome Rock part-owner Stan Saric.
The Olives bred Awesome Rock and kept a share which led to him standing in Western Australia. His 3yo filly Own The Dream will be a multiple award-winner at season’s end following victories in the LR Ascot One Thousand Guineas (1800m), LR Natasha Stakes (2200m) and G3 WA Oaks (2400m).
Awesome Rock followed up with city winners Striking Fella and Miss Rockjoy who were both named TBWA Winners Of The Week in April and May. Ridgeport Farm filly Watch Me Rock was another Ascot winner in May.
Gold Front stands Awesome Rock for an $8,800 (inc GST) service fee alongside Leonardo Da Hinchi at $4,400 (inc GST).
