Fast ‘n’ Rocking ready to roll in Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes

DAVID Hayes always believed Fast ‘N’ Rocking was capable of winning a Group 1 race and Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot is that race.

Caulfield Race 8, iTalktravel Stakes 1200m Winner, Fast 'n' Rocking (3) ridden by Michael Walker (pink and royal blue seams cap) and trained by David hayes and Tom Dabernig. Picture Jay Town.

DAVID Hayes always believed Fast ‘N’ Rocking was capable of winning a Group 1 race and Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot is that race.

“He’s finished second in the Blue Diamond Stakes and also a third in the Oakleigh Plate,’’ Hayes said. “He’s been racing at this level for a few years now and he has the ability and deserves to win one.”

Hayes said he only needed to look at Fast ‘N’ Rocking’s last-start fourth in the Manikato Stakes behind Chautauqua to know he had a great chance.

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“He defeated Buffering in that race and he’s a short-priced favourite. That’s a pretty good form reference,” he said.

Hayes bypassed the Darley Sprint Classic a fortnight ago at Flemington with Fast ‘N’ Rocking to concentrate on Perth as he said he didn’t handle the straight.

“I think missing that race would also hold us in good stead, too,” he said. “That was a really good run in the Manikato and I think Ascot should suit him.”

Fast ‘N’ Rocking has drifted from $5.50 to $7, while Buffering continues to firm having been $4.20 earlier in the week to $3.40.

Hayes has secured the services of former Perth apprentice and now leading Melbourne hoop Damian Lane to ride Fast ‘N’ Rocking and also He’s Our Rokkii in the West Australian Guineas.

“He rides for me in Melbourne and he knows the Ascot track so he’s a good fit,” he said.

Hayes said he scratched He’s Our Rokkii from the Sandown Guineas last Saturday to run in the Guineas because of the prizemoney.

“The West Australian Guineas is worth $500,000 and the Sandown Guineas is worth $250,000 so it was an easy decision,” he said.

He’s Our Rokkii finished fourth at his last start in the Carbine Club Stakes behind subsequent Sandown Guineas winner Mahuta.

“That was a good run as he was wide and he ran on well against the bias that day,” he said.

Hayes said He’s Our Rokkii hadn’t drawn well in 12 but he expected he would be in the finish.

Hayes’ training partner Tom Dabernig also took veteran Extra Zero across to Perth earlier this week. Extra Zero will run in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on December 5 and then the Cox Stakes (2100m) on December 19.

Originally published as Fast ‘n’ Rocking ready to roll in Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes