On The Rocks Defending His Herbie Dyke Win
Defending champion On the Rocks looks all set to defend his Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes title after a comprehensive fresh-up performance in the New World Summer Cup.
After a disappointing Queensland winter campaign, the son of Tiffany Ice has since been gelded and he resumed off the back of an exhibition gallop with stablemate Harlech at Matamata a fortnight ago.
Co-trainer Pam Gerard, who prepares On The Rocks in partnership with Michael Moroney, had expressed confidence in his chances before the race as he was facing only two rivals, although he was carrying clear topweight of 61.5kg in the contest that was to serve as a lead-up to the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham on January 18.
Content to sit pat as the pace unfolded, rider Michael McNab let On the Rocks slide around to a challenging position entering the straight and he was simply too good in winning stylishly by three-quarters of a length.