Bombora Downs sire Therock was represented by his first winner at Kilmore on Sunday.

His three year-old gelding Oz Rock box-seated behind the leaders before peeling out to land the Wandong Bus & Coach Plate (1200m) by a short-head third time out.  He drifted to $8 but belied unplaced runs at Murtoa and Donald last month to win a duel with Royal Enigma down the straight.

Oz Rock is trained by Darren Weir and his dam Remiss (Johannesburg) is related to G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Reactive.  She has a 2yo colt by Therock and was covered by Moorookyle Park sire Widden Valley last year.

Therock has been based at Bombora Downs since 2012.  He had covered a one-off book at Waterford Stud in WA before relocating to the Mornington Peninsula.

Trained by Gerald Ryan, Therock won at Warwick Farm and Rosehill in October 2009 and was nominated for the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas but a trip cross the Tasman was abandoned when it was found the colt had pulled up sore after his Rosehill victory.

“He had the potential to win a major stakes race,” Ryan recalled.  “It was only bad luck and injury that stopped him.  He was one of my best three year-olds that season along with Melito and Rothesay.

“Therock is a magnificent looking horse and an exceptional mover.  He has incredible muscle mass, a stunning head and massive hind-quarters.  He really has everything going for him to become a serious stallion.”

Therock was a $370,000 purchase as a foal at the 2007 Magic Millions National Sale.  He is a son of champion sire Fastnet Rock out of Bumps (Scenic), a half-sister to G2 VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester).

Bombora Downs studmaster Christoph Bruechert stands Therock at his Bittern property for a $3,850 (inc gst) fee.

THEROCK