Stakes race plan for Petrology

Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh popped up with an extra smart debut winner at Mornington on Wednesday.

Petrology (2c Fastnet Rock – Romantic River by Irish River) went about his work like a real professional in the Positive Move Hcp (1200m).  He settled right behind the leaders for Damien Oliver and then saw off Darley colt Alaska (Medaglia D’oro) in the straight.

“He was in the box seat but Damien decided to peel out three wide he was going that well,” Lindsay Park spokesman Bruno Rouge-Serret said.  “The plan is to find a stakes race for him in Sydney or Adelaide.

“He toughed it out today and has come on since we added blinkers.  You will see a much better horse once we get him over 1400 metres and further.”

Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes paid $200,000 for Petrology as a yearling.  He was one of the least expensive among the Fastnet Rocks at the 2013 Inglis Easter Sale – five of them made seven-figures or more.

Petrology is a three-quarter brother to G1 Futurity Stakes winner Aqua D’Amore and Coolmore Stud has his full brother catalogued as Lot 187 at next month’s Inglis Easter Sale.

Another Fastnet Rock in the draft is the colt from Gambei (Lot 17) being offered by Coolmore on behalf of Walsh, Brian Bradley and the Ciprian family.

Gambei won the 2001 Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the same partnership raced her half-brothers King Canute (2004 Perth Cup) and Redwoldt (2004 Karrakatta Plate).  Another half-sister Special Harmony won the Group 1Thousand Guineas – Victorian Oaks double for an Eastern States syndicate.

Walsh has Fastnet Rock gelding Hue And Cry entered for the LR Melvista Stakes (2200m) at Ascot this Saturday.  A Bunbury maiden winner over 1410m on March 2, he looked a progressive type when working home from last of 15 to finish sixth in the LR Roberts Stakes (1800m) on March 15.