David Payne had plenty of thrills with quality mare Gallant Tess and he may well enjoy even more success with her first foal Rock Hero who bolted in at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Rock Hero (3c Fastnet Rock – Gallant Tess by Galileo) had been working up to a win with a third and a second at his two previous runs and finally joined all the dots when sent to the front Australian Turf Club Hcp (1550m).  Leading his rivals a merry dance, he landed some big bets in powering clear to win by more than six lengths.

Payne will now step the promising colt into better company for the LR Dulcify Stakes (1900m) and G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) before sending him to the paddock.  “He’s been a big gangly baby who has taken a while for the penny to drop,” Payne said.  “But I think racing will get it out of him.”

Rock Hero is a homebred for John Cordina and was raised at Kitchwin Hills.  He is the first foal for Gallant Tess who won five races and over $800,000 in prizemoney.  Her career was highlighted by G2 victories in the Chelmsford Stakes and Breeders’ Classic and five placings at G1 level.

Gallant Tess has a yearling colt by Street Cry and she foaled a Redoute’s Choice filly on September 14.