Marrock a pretty good horse by Pluck

Vinery sire Pluck (USA) climbed into third spot on the Australian second-season sires’ table after Marrock powered home to win on debut at Hawkesbury on Sunday.

Marrock needed every metre of the journey to score a last-stride victory in the Knickerbocker Hotel Hcp (1100m).  “He was slowly away but really hit the line,” local trainer Mitch Newman said.  “Jay (Ford) kept him out of the speed battle up front and allowed him to relax early on.

“He’s a pretty good horse.  I left plenty to work on going into today’s race and he’s not anywhere near fully fit.”

Pluck is taking after his own sire More Than Ready.  They have an affinity with Danehill mares and the young gun has been represented by 11 individual winners this season to sit in equal third spot on the second-season winners’ premiership behind Smart Missile and Foxwedge.

Marrock was bred by the late John Hoare of Devon Park Stud in Victoria and was a $75,000 buy at the 2015 Melbourne Premier Sale.  His dam Meritous (Danehill) had earlier foaled Worth A Ransom (Red Ransom) to win the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Reef Stakes at Flemington in April 2014.  She also has a 2yo colt by Pluck.

“It’s great to win for the owner Kevin Pitstock,” Newman said.  “The horse had issues earlier this year and I think he can go through the grades this season on the strength of that performance.”

Newman was Sydney’s champion apprentice jockey twice before weight cut his career short in 2004.  He’s building the numbers at Hawkesbury after stints with Gai Waterhouse, Gerald Ryan, Joe Pride and Darley.

MARROCK