Fastnet Rock unearthed another exciting three year-old at Goulburn on Tuesday when good-looking colt Spanish Matador won the Hibernian Hotel Hcp (1200m).

Spanish Matador (3c Fastnet Rock – Badinov’s Babe by Twig Moss) claimed a very competitive maiden, kicking clear at the finish to win by three lengths in the fastest time of the day for the trip.  He clocked 1.10.27s which broke the class record set last year by Colorado Claire.  She went on to win the G2 Phar Lap Stakes.

A $375,000 Inglis Easter yearling from Yarraman Park for the James Bester – Demi O’Byrne combination, Spanish Matador runs for a partnership that includes Coolmore, Rob and Barb McClure, Cath and John Murray, Greg White, Rod Russell and Keith Biggs.

The same partnership races Crusade, a Fastnet Rock brother to G1 VRC Newmarket Hcp winner Wanted.  He won a Rosehill trial by almost four lengths last month.

Spanish Matador is a half-brother to the stakes winners Violent Wind (Hurricane Sky), Play To Win (Snippets) and New Edge (Racer’s Edge).  Their dam Badinov’s Babe is a half-sister to G1 South Australian Derby winner Bullwinkle (Bellotto).

Fastnet Rock filly Mosheen returns to racing in the G3 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington this Saturday.  She won the G1 Victorian Oaks at headquarters last year and added further G1 victories in the Australian Guineas, Randwick Guineas and Vinery Stud Stakes during the autumn carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney.

On Saturday week, Fastnet Rock’s latest star Nechita will be given a chance to grab a Group 1 of her own in the Golden Rose at Rosehill.  She lowered Skating’s 20-year-old race record last time out in the G3 Silver Shadow Stakes at Warwick Farm.

Fastnet Rock is Australia’s reigning champion sire and he stands for a $220,000 fee at Coolmore Stud.

– Karl Patterson