Searchin’ Roc’s surprised no-one stepping up for her latest spring and summer campaigns with a determined first-up victory in the LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont.
The 6yo daughter of Awesome Rock has been unplaced in five attempts at Group 1 level at Ascot but served notice there’s still a big race in her after being backed into a short-priced $2.25 favourite on Saturday. She was headed in the straight but responded when asked to sprint again by Steven Parnham to score by over a length running away for Serpentine owner-breeders Heather and Rob Grant.
“She travelled nicely and kept in a rhythm but I was a bit worried when the leader (Ginger Baker) got away,” Parnham conceded. “I got stuck in and she dug deep to kick away.”
Searchin’ Roc’s (Photo / Western Racepix) has won 9 of 26 starts and her strike-rate when racing fresh at this time of the year goes back to a first-up victory as a 3yo in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) of 2021. She added the G3 R J Peters Stakes (1800m) second-up in 2022 and the LR Farnley Quality (1400m) first-up last year.
“I didn’t think she would be beaten after her gallop on Monday,” trainer Jim Taylor said. “She was spot on today and, when Steven changed hands, she went to another gear. She’s been spelling with Idyllic Prince and his toughness has probably rubbed off on her.”
Taylor prepared Idyllic Prince (Scenic) to four consecutive wins in the LR Goodwood Sprint (1300m) between 2008 and 2011 and the race was renamed to honour that legacy in 2015.
Searchin’ Roc’s is the first foal to race out of Still Searchin’ (Trade Fair) who was bred by Alan Young at Kintore Stud in Serpentine.
The mare is a descendant of blue-hen Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar) and she has a 2yo filly by Awesome Rock named Searchin’ Times.
Awesome Rock has a 63% winning strike-rate from his first three crops at Gold Front Thoroughbreds. Apart from her fresh record, Searchin’ Roc’s has also won a G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and LR Belmont Oaks (2000m) and her sire’s other classic winners include Awesome John (2023 G2 WA Derby) and Own The Queen (2024 G3 WA Oaks).
Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock) stands for $8,800 at Gold Front alongside Leonardo Da Hinchi (Hinchinbrook) at $4,400. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or further details, contact Sue Olive on 0417 937 606.
