Awesome Rock climbed the WA Sires ladder after doubling up with Rokanori in the $100,000 Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) at Belmont and Outspoken Lad in the $60,000 Carnarvon Cup (2000m).
The Gold Front Thoroughbreds stallion sits in fourth spot on the current table and there are some lucrative assignments ahead of Rokanori including the $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) in Kalgoorlie on October 4.
Rokanori (7g Awesome Rock – Nishikawa by Fuji Kiseki) returned to winning form for in-form owner-trainers Chris and Michael Gangemi when powering home to defeat Final Siren (I’m All The Talk) and Fast Flicker (A Lot) on Saturday.
He was spotting speedy front-runner Puli (Dick Turpin) six lengths into the straight before Jordie Turner peeled off heels to help him break a run out outs going back to the $100,000 TABtouch Stakes (1600m) twelve months ago.
“We’ve been really happy with him this time in,” Chris Gangemi said. “He was only fair last prep but so were all our horses back then.
“We discussed dropping back a furlong from the Farnley last start but when he drew the rails we decided to go ahead.”
Turner believes he’s a chance in the Golden Saddle in three weeks. “He’s come back a better horse and can freshen up for the Golden Saddle. He wasn’t right last time in but the Gangemi team is flying and have him going really well.”
Rokanori was bred and sold by Gervase Park for $165,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions and has now banked $456,000. He’s a half-brother to six winners headed by Takanori (Vital Equine) who was successful in the LR WA Breeders’ Classic in 2013.
Outspoken Lad (7g Awesome Rock – Out Spoken Lady by Galileo) is a stablemate of Awesome Rock’s unbeaten 3yo Rock Fest and co-trainer Dan Pearce was confident he could claim the Carnarvon Cup (2000m). “We knew he could win if he handled the dirt track. He travelled on the pace and is a tough, strong gelding.”
Outspoken Lad had city wins to his credit at Ascot (2) and Belmont(2) and the Gasgoyne victory sent his earnings through $324,000. He was bred by Gold Front and is a half-brother to Lady Cosmology who was a black-type winner in Adelaide (G3 Proud Miss Stakes ) and Perth (LR Burgess Queen Stakes).
Gold Front bred mare I Love Your Smile was also on the mark in the lucky last at Belmont on Saturday. She took a rails run in torrential rain for Willie Pike to land the Bisley Workwear Hcp (2200m) from Lombadina (Ducimus) and Lyrical Angel (God Has Spoken).
Gold Front also welcomed an Awesome Rock full-brother to unbeaten 3yo Rock Fest last week. “He’s a cracking colt,” Gold Front posted on Facebook. “Awesome Rock is proving time and again that he produces tough, talented performers. Don’t miss your chance to get behind a sire on rise!”
Awesome Rock is a son of recently-deceased champion sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and is standing at Gold Front Thoroughbreds for a $7,975 (inc GST) service fee this season. For bookings or further details, call Sue Olive (0417 937 606) or Naomi Montuolo (0400 738 964).
