3 minute read

La Rocque has overcome greenness up the Flemington straight to land an all-the-way win in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.

Mornington trainer John McArdle was told not to come home if favourite La Rocque did not maintain her unbeaten record in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. 

A debut winner at Pakenham early in February, La Rocque duly obliged with an impressive all-the-way victory on Saturday. 

Under the guidance of Jamie Mott, La Rocque, the $1.90 favourite, recorded a 1-½ length victory from Flying Evelyn ($8.50) with Her Empire ($8) a further three lengths away third. 

La Rocque is part-owned by McArdle's wife Bernadette, and the trainer was told not to come home if the daughter of Kuroshio was defeated. 

"There was obviously a massive amount of pressure today being owned by Mrs McArdle and bred by Mrs McArdle," the trainer said. 

"I was under strict instructions." 

La Rocque will now join stablemate Tycoon Humma, victorious in the Listed Very Special Kids Plate at Flemington last Saturday, in the spelling paddock ahead of a spring campaign. 

But McArdle would not be drawn on which of the two fillies was the better of the pair. 

"She'll likely go to the paddock now and be a bit like Tycoon Humma and come back for those early spring races," McArdle said. 

"It's a good problem to have. This one has beaten her (Tycoon Humma) in a trial but in their work at home there's not much between them." 

Mott, who has ridden both fillies in their unbeaten records to date, agreed with the trainer saying they were two really nice fillies, but two different types. 

"I think with Tycoon Humma you've got to sit back and relax, where this filly can do it both ends," Mott said. 

"It's a good position to be in."