Fastnet colts cashed up in Melbourne

Fastnet Rock has some breathing space at the top of the Australian sires’ premiership after Hvasstan’s G2 victory in the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Hvasstan (3c Fastnet Rock – Snow Hero by True Hero) had claimed the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes and finished fourth in the G1 VRC Victoria Derby during a coming-of-age spring campaign.  He returned to winning form with an on-pace victory over Philippi (Host) in the Alister Clark worth $223,500.

Last Saturday, fellow Fastnet Rock colt Super Cool collected top-dollar in the $1 million Australian Cup at Flemington.

Fastnet Rock is defending his first Australian crown – he sired the winners of $12.68 million in 2011-12 – and is on course for a repeat with $7.59 million in the kitty with 20 weeks of this season remaining.  Darley sires Lonhro and Commands were in touch but, in the last week, the margin has increased to over $1.14 million.

Peter Gelagotis will go for the jugular in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G1 Australian Derby at Randwick.  The Moe trainer bought him for $260,000 at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

Hvasstan is from Snow Hero who won the 2002 Princess Stakes at Hawkesbury and was G2 placed in that year’s G2 Queen Of The Turf at Rosehill.  The mare has a colt on the ground by High Chaparral and is back in foal to Fastnet Rock.

– Karl Patterson