Trainer Stephen Gray’s only Sunday runner Rocky Garden returned home a winner in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1600m.
Punted down to even-money favouritism, the rangy Fastnet Rock four-year-old sprinted away from the pack at the top of the straight to score an easy 1 ¾-length victory over Rollthedice (John Sundradas) who ran on late for second with Cape d’Or (John Powell) third another ¾ length away.
The winning time was 1min 37.02secs.
Rocky Garden has finally opened his account at his seventh start, after registering two thirds as his best showing thus far. Sporting blinkers for the first time and partnered by jockey Vlad Duric – also for the first time - the Celine Stable-owned galloper was a lot more forward than running in his customary rearward position.
Tracking up Rapid Rewards (Joao Moreira) from the jump, Rocky Garden drew level with the rapidly weakening leader upon straightening before drawing clear for a decisive break at the 300m. Cape D’Or gave chase in vain and it was eventually outsider Rollthedice who produced the run of the race to grab second right on the line.
Duric said he found himself in a more forward position than he had anticipated but as his mount was up against a mediocre lot, he was never too concerned by the change of plans.
“I rode him more positive with the blinkers on. I didn’t expect him to sit outside the leader,” said Duric.
“But he was son relaxed throughout I just let him roll along. He lengthened up quite well but I have to say he won in a bad race.”
Duric kept his premiership hopes alive by making back-to-back visits to the winner's circle when Merlin saluted in the next race, the $35,000 Class 5 race over 1600m.
After positioning the Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye-trained Merlin in a handy one-out one-back spot throughout, Duric went for broke on the $12 favourite at the top of the straight, steering the Rock Of Gibraltar five-year-old to a 1 ¼ length victory over Street Smart (Joseph See) with Dustin (Saifudin Ismail) third another half-a-length away.
The riding double brought Duric's score to 55 winners, 11 shy of the current leader Moreira.
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