Jason Bridgman is keen to give King’s Rock (NZ) his first crack at black type level on Saturday but the well-being of the regally-bred colt is paramount.

The Matamata trainer said the G3 Bonecrusher Stakes was the ideal next step for the blueblood, provided the Ellerslie course came to the party.  “He’s in great shape and it’s the perfect race and perfect timing, but he’s a valuable horse and there is a query on the track.

“You don’t want to miss an opportunity in age Group racing and we have to do the right thing by the horse.  A gut-wrenching run can derail all the good work.  You can’t do anything about Mother Nature and we don’t want to slog around on a heavy track.”

A $1.75 million Karaka yearling, the half-brother by Fastnet Rock to the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner King’s Rose (NZ) raced right up to his pedigree with his debut victory earlier this month.

King’s Rock (3c Fastnet Rock – Nureyev’s Girl by Nureyev) is on a path toward the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and should a heavy track keep him away from Ellerslie, he will head to Te Rapa next week.  “He’s continued to step up this preparation and he’s gone on with it since the win and improved in his work and tightened up,” Bridgman said.  “Riccarton has got to be his grand final and he’ll be there to make it as a stallion – that’s the race to do it for him.”