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Rocha Clock captures Scone’s Dark Jewel

3 minute read

Rocha Clock has continued her rich vein of form to score her first black-type win at Scone.

ROCHA CLOCK.
ROCHA CLOCK. Picture: Steve Hart

A polished ride by Rachel King has helped to deliver Rocha Clock an important stakes victory, the mare sweeping down the outside to clinch the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone. 

In a thrilling three-way finish, Rocha Clock ($7.50) outlasted Missile Mantra ($7) to score by a long neck with the runner-up's Peter and Paul Snowden-trained stablemate Reelem In Ruby ($13) showing a return to form to grab third, another half-length away. 

Winning trainer John O'Shea said he was confident of a good run as Rocha Clock had continued to thrive since her last-start win at Randwick during the Sydney autumn carnival. 

"She is just in good form at the moment," O'Shea told Sky Thoroughbred Central. 

"She worked on Tuesday morning, Brenton (Avdulla) came and rode her and he said, 'mate, it won't be getting beat'. 

"So despite the fact she had a wide gate (14), we came here thinking she'd run very well and she really lived up to that. 

"We were a bit concerned the first 200 but down the side she got on the back of a couple of things and put Missile Mantra in a bit of a pocket, which we were happy about, so a really, really super ride from Rachel." 

King has now partnered Rocha Clock three times in her 17-start career and is unbeaten on the four-year-old. 

The mare relished a solid tempo and unleashed a blistering turn of foot in the straight before showing good fight when the placegetters launched late challenges. 

"When the speed was on early and she was able to get into that good rhythm, I knew from the 600 she was going to be in with a big shout," King said. 

"I've ridden her three times now for three wins, so we definitely get on well." 

Rocha Clock is likely to have one more start this campaign with O'Shea eyeing off a hit-and-run mission in Brisbane during the winter carnival, possibly in the Sapphire Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 5. 


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