El Roca booked his ticket across the Tasman for a crack at Australia’s best three-year-olds after a scintillating victory at Ruakaka on Saturday.

The son of Fastnet Rock settled just off the pace and strode clear in the straight to win the LR Westbury Stud Challenge from Gobi Ranger (Tale of the Cat) and All Decked Out (Darci Brahma).

It confirmed plans for the unbeaten colt to tackle a Group 1 campaign in Melbourne.  “We will take him over next week and let him get settled in,” said Natalie Young, who prepares El Roca with her partner Trent Busuttin.  “He will run in the Prelude and then in the Caulfield Guineas – he’s a very smart horse.”

El Roca (3g Fastnet Rock – Rubimill by Rubiton) first came to the attention of the couple last year at the Karaka sales, where he failed to meet his $120,000 reserve.  “He was a good-looking horse and an athletic type so we approached Westbury Stud afterwards and then went home and got a group of owners together,” Young said.  “A lot of them are involved in Sangster as well and they are all a great bunch of guys to be involved with.”

The Cambridge based gelding made an immediate impression taking two of his three trials before a winning debut at Taupo last month.  “We’ve had a high opinion of him from day one and I said this is the best horse to walk into the stable,” Young said.  “He’s still got quite a bit to learn but it’s going to be fun to have him in Melbourne.”

El Roca is a half-brother to last season’s winners Miss Adelaide (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Heart Of Joy (Rock of Gibraltar).  Their dam is an unraced sister to G3 winner Millrich.