Bart unworried by Rock's cracking
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday April 7, 2010
BART CUMMINGS was quick to dismiss concerns that Rock Classic's preparation for Saturday's $1.3million AJC Australian Derby was in turmoil after the group 1 winner was well beaten in a gallop at Randwick yesterday morning.Cummings sent the Australian Guineas winner out with Suyama for a 1600-metre gallop on the Kensington track, with the unheralded stablemate, which was beaten 13 lengths in last Saturday's Tulloch Stakes, cruising away from its partner."There was a weight difference between the two riders, and the rider of the other horse [Suyama, Michelle Payne] was two stone light," Cummings quipped.Rock Classic was ridden by a heavyweight Cummings work rider, while Victoria-based Payne is set to ride the three-year-old in Saturday's Derby.News of the Rock Classic defeat spread quickly, with TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie reporting the Cummings stable star was priced at $3.80 for Saturday's classic."The main concern for him [Rock Classic] was always the distance, the 2400 metres, but there are no massive pots on him after the track gallop," Munsie said at yesterday's Derby draw at the William Inglis sales complex."He may not have had the blinkers on but the time for the final gallop wasn't much good either."Sportingbet boss Michael Sullivan wasn't buying into the poor performance. "Have a good look at the record, Bart Cummings has won five and is looking to go back-to-back," Sullivan said. "It wouldn't surprise me if it [Rock Classic] was challenging for favouritism come race time."Rock Classic came up with barrier seven, while the colt's Rosehill Guineas conqueror, Zabrasive, remained at the top of derby betting after drawing barrier three."It all points to Zabrasive," Munsie said. "He has been the best-backed runner. He went up $12 when markets first went up. He was the first horse backed, and has been favourite since the Rosehill Guineas win."Zabrasive's trainer, John O'Shea, said yesterday that "everything is going great"."I'd love to win the race, it is one of the biggies, some good horses have won it. Everything is ready to go. He is as fit as a fiddle and the 2400 metres is no concern."Zabrasive finished off a 1800m gallop at Randwick yesterday in 12.5 seconds, with jockey Hugh Bowman back on board after missing the Rosehill Guineas win due to suspension."Rock Classic is trained by the master," O'Shea said. "There was nothing between my horse and Bart's in the guineas and no reason it won't be the same again. The concern I've got is if it is the right form line, there are four or five of them. You've got the New Zealand Oaks and derby form, you've got form out of a Hawkesbury maiden."Paul Moroney, whose brother Michael trains Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul, which won the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick last spring, reported the horse was in good order."We know he'll stay the trip, and if he comes over, brings his 'A game', he'll be hard to beat," Paul Moroney said."He looks well, his work has been satisfactory, we've made another gear changes, the tongue tie is on and we've got Damien Oliver in the saddle."Beaten Rosehill Guineas favourite Shoot Out remains on the third line of betting at $5.50 after being the last horse to be drawn and left with barrier nine.Trainer John Wallace did pay $5,500 late entry fee for Saturday week's Doncaster Mile but decided to take on the Derby and will take the pacifiers off Shoot Out in an effort to get it to settle.
© 2010 Sydney Morning Herald
