3 minute read

The decision to run Volcanic Rock in Brisbane instead of Sydney has been vindicated with the juvenile posting a strong win.

He might not have been Craig Williams' easiest ride of the day but the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Volcanic Rock has posted an important win in the Listed The Phoenix at Eagle Farm. 

The youngster was scratched from Rosehill to contest Saturday's 1500m feature and after camping off the lead, he strode to the front rounding the home turn. 

Under vigorous riding from Williams, Volcanic Rock ($3 fav) had to dig deep but he pulled out plenty to defeat Verbek ($6.50) by three-quarters of a length with another 2-1/2 lengths to Tutukaka($5) in third. 

"He took a lot of motivation. Gai and Adrian and their staff have done a really good job with this now-gelding," Williams said. 

"He's a lovely horse but you've got to be really forceful. I've got four children at home and he's definitely like one of them, without naming names. 

"Most importantly, he was really genuine late when he got competition. 

"He made my job be a bit more work but he's an out-and-out trier and he loves to keep his head in front, which is what I like to ride." 

Waterhouse and Bott already have favourite Converge in next Saturday's J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm and Williams said Volcanic Rock wouldn't be out of place in the Group 1 if the stable decided to back him up. 

"He's going really well, so I wouldn't put it past Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott as trainers what they decide to go with," Williams said. 

"He'd be very competitive in the J J Atkins and anything else bar that, he'd be pretty hard to hold out." 

Volcanic Rock is a $21 chance for the Atkins with TAB fixed odds.