3 minute read

Rock On Wood takes out Captain Cook Stakes

Westbury Stud-based sire Redwood (High Chaparral) chalked up his first Group 1 winner when his son Rock On Wood (6 g ex Rock On Rye by Catcher In The Rye) landed the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. 

The Leanne Elliot-trained six-year-old, who was ridden by Elliot’s son Ryan, scooted home to beat Concert Hall (Savabeel) by a length, while Deerfield (Dunkirk) was the same distance back in third. 

Elliot, who shares ownership with her mother Jill Ker and sister Yvonne, as she fought back tears while waiting for her son to bring the six-year-old gelding back to the winner’s enclosure after the race. 

“It’s just blimmin awesome,” Elliot said. “I was worried about the (Slow7) track but he went so good.He did it tough as he was out three-wide and I was thinking ‘oh no,’ but he was just awesome.

“It’s Ryan’s first Group 1 as well so that just makes it even better.”

Purchased by Jill Ker for NZ$26,000 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock National Karaka Yearling Sale, Rock On Wood is one of sixth winners out of six-time winner stakes-placed mare Rock On Rye (Catcher In The Rye). 

Rock On Rye herself is a half-sister to Likable Will (His Royal Highness), who was placed at Group 3 level. 

Further back this is the same family as Group 1 winners Vanburgh (Encosta De Lago), Sacred Star (Flying Spur), Diademe (Savabeel) and Embellish (Savabeel). 

Cambria Park will offer a sister to Rock On Wood at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale and she is catalogued as Lot 75. https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/21kaa/75