On The Rocks (NZ) Defeats Quality Field in Trevor Eagle Memorial

Six last-start winners and several other highly rated gallopers clashed in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) at Ellerslie, and it was the $40,000 Karaka purchase On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) who came out on top with a dynamic front-running performance.

On The Rocks is by Alamosa out of the Volksraad mare Cold Shoulder (NZ), a half-sister to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel).

The colt was bought for $40,000 by Paul Moroney and is trained by his brother Mike in partnership with Pam Gerard.

Ridden by visiting Australian jockey Patrick Moloney, On The Rocks went straight to the lead from the inside gate and controlled the race from there. A number of his rivals came at him with potent finishing bursts in the straight, but On The Rocks held on strongly to win by half a length.

“He looked immaculate in the yard and he ran accordingly,” Moloney said.

Gerard indicated that the Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March is a possible target.

“Fingers crossed,” she said. “He’s a lovely colt, you can do whatever you like with him.”

Raced by Ballymore Stables NZ Ltd, A Clark, N Gurney, A Mathieson, On The Rocks Syndicate, D P Sinn and Richard Sims, On The Rocks has now had four starts for two wins and prize-money of $36,750.

Karaka 2018 will feature a half-sister to On The Rocks. The Tavistock filly will go through the ring in Book 2 as Lot 777.