Chief Stipe Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Herbie Dyke Stakes winner On The Rocks will shoot for back-to-back Group One victories when he lines up in Saturday’s Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie. The son of Alamosa sparked memorable celebrations in the Te Rapa stands and birdcage with his victory over Tiptronic and Elusive Treasure in the $400,000 Herbie Dyke on February 9. It was a milestone 50th Group One win for Mike Moroney, and the first for his Matamata training partner Pam Gerard. While On The Rocks is now on a collision course with this season’s four-time Group One winner Melody Belle, Gerard is looking forward to taking him back to Ellerslie, where he has previously won the Gr. 2 Rich Hill Mile, Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas and Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial. “Everything’s been great with him since the Herbie Dyke and we’re very happy,” she said. “He loves Ellerslie and we’re hoping he’ll produce another strong performance this weekend. There’ll be some good horses in there on Saturday and he’ll have to step up again, but on the way he’s been working, we’re more than happy to have a go. Everything he’s done has indicated that he can run another big race.” Moroney and Gerard will also have strong representation in the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup with Vengeur Masque, the equal fourth favourite at $8. The Irish-bred son of Monsun has been a multiple Group winner from Moroney’s Melbourne stable and has earned more than $1 million in stakes. He will be ridden by Opie Bosson. “He flew in last night and went out into the paddock today – he took it all in his stride and didn’t give a stuff about anything,” Gerard said. “Mike did some work with him just before he travelled over and said he was pretty much spot-on for Saturday.” View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.