Unbeaten 2yo colt Rock Hard will go for a winter spell on the back of a winning hat-trick at Caulfield on Saturday.
A son of Vinery sire All Too Hard, he controlled a juvenile sprint outside the leader and then stole break in the straight to score by two lengths. He was racing on home turf for the first time after wins at Seymour and Bendigo last month.
“I’ve rated him a stakes horse from Day 1,” local trainer Byron Cozamanis declared after the $100,000 Ladbrokes Back Yourself Plate (1100m). “It’s hard to turn them out when they’re winning but we’ve got big plans for this colt.”
Rock Hard will be given every chance to emulate his sire in the Caulfield Guineas Gr.1 on October 13. All Too Hard captured his first Group 1 in the 2012 Caulfield Guineas on the way to being named Australia’s Champion 3yo Colt.
“He’s a tough colt and never leaves an oat,” Cozamanis added. “He’s a good mover with a big stride and he’s stepped up in all three starts this prep.
“We also want to go back to Queensland for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January. It’s worth $2 million!”
Rock Hard’s dam Rock Of Fortune (Fastnet Rock) was stakes-placed at Caulfield and he cost $80,000 from Kia-Ora Stud at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions. The mare has an All Too Hard yearling colt with Team Corstens and she foaled an All Too Hard filly in August.
Less than an hour after the Caulfield result, Kia-Ora and All Too Hard doubled up with beautifully-bred 3yo All Too Free at Kembla Grange. The Snowden Racing filly bolted in by more than three lengths in the Laughter The Best Medicine Maiden (1200m).
All Too Free is a half-sister to Sheraco Stakes Gr.3 winner Ravi and Royal Ascot Group 1 performer Elzaam. Another half-sister Manju foaled a $75,000 colt by Vinery sire Headwater that topped the freshman leader-board at last month’s Inglis Easter Weanling Sale.
All Too Hard holds a healthy lead in the Australian second-season premierships for winners (55) and wins (80). He stands for a $33,000 (inc gst) service fee at Vinery.
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ROCK HARD