High Rock chasing rich prize at Hastings
Talented three-year-old High Rock (NZ) (Tivaci) will be out to enhance his Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) credentials when he contests Saturday’s $100,000 Vet Services East Coast Challenge Final (1400m) at Hastings.
The Roydon Bergerson-trained gelding earned his place in the inaugural final with an impressive last-to-first maiden victory at Trentham last month, overcoming Heavy10 conditions to grab Star Donna (NZ) (Derryn) on the line.
Bergerson has held the son of Tivaci in high regard from an early stage and believes he will appreciate a better surface on Saturday.
“He’s a horse that we’ve really liked from day one,” Bergerson said.
“Kelly (Myers) trialled him up for us and said she thought he was a quality horse – let’s hope she’s right.
“He got the job done quite nicely at Trentham last time, and that’s despite Kelly saying that he never really handled the track that day. His class got him there.
“He’s improved since that run and I can’t fault him at all.”
The $100,000 special conditions maiden final features horses who finished first or second in 11 qualifying races during September, providing a lucrative opportunity for emerging gallopers.
High Rock faces the added challenge of taking on older horses, but Bergerson is confident he can measure up.
“He’ll have an extra challenge because he’s a three-year-old up against the older horses, but I do think he’s got a fair bit of class, and I’m hoping that’ll make him very competitive,” he said.
A strong performance could see High Rock continue towards next month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
“He’s still nominated for the 2000 Guineas as well, and hopefully he’ll show us a good enough performance on Saturday to carry on along that road towards Christchurch next month.”
High Rock is currently a $61 chance for the 2000 Guineas, with System Of Play heading the market at $4 ahead of Old Fashioned ($5) and Excite ($8).
