Awesome Rock sired his third new winner last month when Canny Rock scored a front-running victory in the Drummond Golf Maiden (1300m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
The Gold Front resident had sired Northam maiden winners Rapid Rock (June 3) and Rocking Gem (June 13) and his Hong Kong expat Awesome Fluke won for the second time in a row at Sha Tin on June 23. Before shipping off-shore, his resume included a Group 2 classic in the 2023 WATC Derby
Canny Rock was headed in the straight but came again to defeat Bird On A Wire (Galah) and On The Mark (Shooting To Win) in a tight finish at Belmont. “His big head helped,” Bindoon-based trainer Bruce Kay laughed as Brandon Louis brought the winner back to scale. “He’s run five seconds and it’s good to see him break through today.
Canny Rock (centre) heads home for Brandon Louis / Photo: Western Racepix
“I love the Awesome Rocks. They go home and eat a bucket of feed regardless of what they do. This bloke can get into a bit of trouble so I told Brandon to go to the front and roll along.
“He’s a big, free-striding horse and will be better getting out to 1400m and dictating in the lead.”
Canny Rock was bred by Jason Latham and his dam Lakeview Elegance (Canny Lad) was an Ascot winner for Kay and his wife Dawn. She hails from a Woodlands Stud family headed by Group 1 Queensland Derby winner Dodge (Canny Lad) and her most recent foal is a filly by Gold Front sire Slater (Redoute’s Choice).
Gold Front owners Alan and Sue Olive bought back into a proven pedigree when targeting a Shamus Award filly at the Inglis Great Southern Foal Sale a couple of hours before Rocking Gem’s win in the Avon Valley. Purchased through agent Damon Gabbedy for $70,000 at Oaklands Junction, she is from unraced mare Chardonnay (Pierro) who is a half-sister to Awesome Rock.
The Olives sold Chardonnay to Beswick Bloodstock for $26,000 at an Inglis Online Sale in 2022. Her final foal before changing hands was Gold Front’s homebred Belmont winner Blue Lagoon (Supido).
Awesome Rock stands for an $8,800 (inc GST) service fee at Gold Front alongside Leonardo Da Hinchi at $4,400 (inc GST).
