Progressive stayer Girl Gone Rockin’ carried Rosemont Stud’s red and white gatecrasher silks to a thrilling last-stride victory in the G2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

The Team Hawkes mare stormed home to nail Queenstown by a nose after the Tasmanian raider looked home at the clock-tower.

Girl Gone Rockin’ (5m Redoute’s Choice – Sorrento by Just A Dancer) is raced in partnership by Rosemont operators Anthony Mithen and his brother-in-law Nigel Austin.  She had won at Werribee and Ballarat last year before graduating to a city victory at Moonee Valley in February.

“That was something special because she was eligible for easier races,” co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.  “Her value has increased threefold after winning a Group 2 over the carnival.”

Rosemont Stud secured Girl Gone Rockin’ from Curraghmore Stud at the 2010 NZ Premier yearling sale for $380,000.  A year later, her older three-quarter sister Syreon (Flying Spur) won the G3 Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill.

Rosemont went ahead and bought their NZ bred dam Sorrento for $20,000 in April.  She was a G2 winner of the 2001 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill but was rising 18 when offered at the Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.

Sorrento was in foal to Wanted and foaled a three-quarter-sister to Girl Gone Rockin’ a fortnight ago at Rosemont.

Hoofnote:  Flashy Fella (NZ) made it a winning weekend for Rosemont in the Ararat Cup on Sunday.  The Thorn Park gelding was a $50,000 buy at the 2010 NZ Premier yearling sale and went through the Karaka ring shortly after Girl Gone Rockin’.

– Karl Patterson