Perth Magic Millions graduates Empress Of India (Universal Ruler) and Snippy Sean (Snippetson) kicked off a successful week for Gold Front Thoroughbreds at Belmont on Wednesday before its foundation stallion Awesome Rock weighed in with a feature double on the long weekend.
Rokanori (6g Awesome Rock – Nishikawa by Fuji Kiseki) was an all-the-way winner of the $100,000 TABtouch Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday for trainer Stephen Miller and a syndicate managed by Neil Pinner.
Then it was the turn of Zaza Rock (5m Awesome Rock – Zadar Miss by Husson) to front up on Sunday and win the Toodyay Cup (1850m) for Team Williams and Belhus Racing who also race Empress Of India.
Rokanori (Photo / Western Racepix) had trailed the field when racing first-up in the Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) but bounced back on a seven-day turnaround to defy running down in the TABtouch Stakes. “He was disappointing last Saturday but there was nothing wrong with his work on Monday morning,” Miller revealed.
“I had to butter him up because our original plan was the Hannans in Kalgoorlie. Luckily, I went with my own judgement and he did the right thing. He’s a thinker and hopefully that win gives him a bit of confidence and he can go on with it.”
The LR Hannans Handicap (1400m) in Kalgoorlie is worth $150,000 and is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2. “I think he will be suited up there,” winning jockey Chris Parnham said. “He found the front without much pressure today and was too strong.
“He gave a good kick at the top of the straight and I was confident from there. I’m sure he will be very competitive in the Goldfields.”
Rokanori is already a black-type winner having claimed the LR J C Roberts Stakes (2000m) at Ascot in March 2022. He was bred by Gervase Park using Awesome Rock over Balaklava winner Nishikawa whose earlier foals included LR Bunbury Breeders Classic (1400m) winner Takanori (Vital Equine).
Awesome Rock stands for an $8,800 (inc GST) service fee at Gold Front alongside Leonardo Da Hinchi at $4,400 (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Sue Olive 0417 937 606.
