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Boom sire Fastnet Rock came to the fore on two fronts this week.
Leading trainer Joe Pride produced a smart Fastnet Rock two year-old debut winner at Randwick on Wednesday when Let's Rock'n'Roll (Fastnet Rock x Crepe de Chine, by Pins) scored an impressive victory.
An easy winner at the Rosehill trials on June 28, Lets Rock'n'Roll ran right up to that form when settling just off the pace from barrier one and kicking clear in the straight to win by the best part of two lengths.
Let's Rock'nroll is raced by Carmel Size and was an astute purchase, snapped up for just $80,000 from the Amarina Farm draft at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
His acquisition looks more valuable when you consider his full sister fetched $250,000 at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale earlier this year.
He is the first foal of G3 winning Pins mare Crepe de Chine, a half-sister to stakes-winners Arenti and Glam Slam from the family of multiple G1 winners Vision And Power and Glamour Puss.
Fastnet Rock has had a good season with his juveniles which include Group 2 winner Smart Missile, the only horse to defeat Golden Slipper winner Sepoy, and Mosheen, who finished second to Sepoy in the Slipper.
The demand for Fastnet Rock youngsters and the opinion held of them by many trainers was apparent when he took honours with the most num,ber of nominations for the 2012 Golden Slipper when they closed on Tuesday.
Fastnet Rock has 88 entries, leading the nominations by sires from Redoute's Choice (76), More Than Ready (76), Encosta de Lago (68), Exceed And Excel (67), Flying Spur (58) and champion sire elect Lonhro (54) add to the aforementioned as leading sires by progeny nominated.
The number of Golden Slipper entries has risen by 15% increase to over 2000.
Sheikh Mohammed's Darley stable under trainer Peter Snowden heads the entry list with 168 yearling entries, while Patinack Farm has 140 which include many by first season sires Casino Prince (65), Husson (46) and Wonderful World (39).
Leading trainers Gai Waterhouse (91), David Hayes (72), Mick Price (57), Peter Moody (52) and Chris Waller (52) are also well represented.
Previous Slipper winners Stratum, Sepoy, Calaway Gal and Phelan Ready each have a sibling nominated while Miss Finland and Polar Success will be represented by a filly and colt respectively.
The million dollar half brother to world champion mare Black Caviar is also among the nominations.
