Listed Monash Stakes for NZB’s Pago Rock

NZB Premier Sale graduate Pago Rock (Rock of Gibraltar) scored an impressive victory in the $120,000 Listed Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Pago Rock raced away over the final stages to down a select field that included Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis and the heavily backed three-year-old Happy Galaxy.

Pago Rock settled off the strong pace set by leader Elite Elle. As the field entered the straight, the favourite has swung wide to find the better going. Pago Rock, ridden by Victoria’s leading apprentice Chad Schofield, came through nearer the inside and set about hunting down Elite Elle, picking up the leader in the final stages and attacking the line to win by a length.

The race was run in 1.04.43, a respectable gallop as the track was playing on the worst side of dead. Hayes has only had Pago Rock for two preparations, having no success with him in first preparation. Since returning from a spell he has won three out of his four starts.

It was the first stakes win for Pago Rock, who is having his first preparation for David Hayes. The strength of the weekend’s win could signal bigger assignments for the five-year-old

“It was a win of a good horse that is going to win more races,” commented Hayes.

“He had no luck in his first preparation for us but he has won three of four this time in.

“The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is his ultimate target this preparation and if he keeps improving we may look at the Toorak Handicap as well.”

The Monash Stakes was the 10th win of Pago Rock’s career, taking his earnings to A$357,563 from only 18 starts.

By champion racehorse Rock of Gibraltar, his dam is the Listed winning mare Dancing Pago, who had already left the stakes winner Rock My Pago, a full brother to Pago Rock.

Pago Rock was brought by John Chalmers Bloodstock for $125,000 from Esker Lodge at the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale.

For news and sales information from New Zealand Bloodstock visit www.nzb.co.nz.