26 May Julian Rock claims Canterbury win
Julian Rock relished a step back in trip to win the TAB Handicap over 1250m in excellent fashion under Jean Van Overmeire on Wednesday at Canterbury Park.
The intention was to be closer to the speed, although there was a change of plans after bouncing out midfield. That’s the position that Van Overmeire elected to stay throughout the early running, turning for home on the fence.
The gaps started to appear and Julian Rock spread the field to finish strong and win on the line with the two favourites finishing second and third.
Woodpark Stud Assistant Trainer Pierre Dubois was representing the stable on course and said “it was as good of a win Julian Rock has had in Australia.”
“He has been a warrior for our stable this horse and it is great to have him back in form after being inconsistent for so long. On his day he is a very talented horse it is just that we don’t know when his day is,” he said.
“We thought he would appreciate the step down in trip but it was just a matter of finding the right race for him and we found it today and he has won well.
Dubois was also full of praise for Van Overmeire who is continuing to build an excellent record with the stable.
“It was another well-judged ride from Jean and he really knows this horse, probably better than anyone, and you can always have some confidence when he is riding one of yours.”
A Saturday Metro race may now be on the cards for the imported son of Invincible Spirit who is out of the American mare Soneva. Soneva is a mare that is getting it done in both Hemisphere’s with Julian Rock and The Blue Eye both winner’s overseas and See You Soon racing in the Woodpark colours here in Australia.
Soneva’s Fastnet Rock yearling filly sold for $550,000 at this years Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to Yes Bloodstock and Balmerino Racing.
Julian Rock’s trainer Jean Dubois was not at the races as he was enjoying the sunshine on the Gold Coast at the Magic Millions National Broodmare.
Just moments after Julian Rock’s win he purchased Seewhatshebrings in foal to exciting young Aquis stallion Pierata. Woodpark paid $450,000 for the mare who is a half-sister to the rocketship Malkovich.
Malkovich was bought as a yearling by Woodpark for $85,000 and then sold at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale where he was then purchased by Darby Racing for $240,000.
“She was a mare with a great pedigree and that may only get stronger the way Malkovich has been trialling and we have a small share in him,” Jean Dubois said.
“She is in foal to a young exciting stallion, she was Group 3 placed and it is still a young developing family and we think she will be a valuable broodmare in the not too distant future.”
Seewhatshebrings is by Sebring and out of the Anabaa mare Mabkhara.
