Fast track from Rocking horse to Group 1 hero

FAST 'N' Rocking, once maligned as a non-winner, is ready to make the quantum leap to Group 1 hero in the $1 million Golden Rose on Saturday.

Safeguard (right) defeats Fast 'N' Rocking (pink and blue) and Hill Spy at Caulfield.

FAST 'N' Rocking, once maligned as a non-winner, is ready to make the quantum leap to Group 1 hero in the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

But he will face tough opposition from a colt who is racing without luck, Sidestep, and a Melbourne raider with unlimited potential in Prince Harada.

Form expert Gary Crispe concedes the Golden Rose is one of the strongest fields in the race's short history but he rates Fast 'N' Rocking as the horse to beat in Sydney's richest spring carnival feature.

"It is hard to go past the rapidly improving colt Fast 'N' Rocking as the selection for the race,'' Crispe said.

"He finally broke his maiden status in emphatic fashion last start with a barnstorming, yet erratic victory in the McNeil Stakes.

"Prior to that race, Fast 'N' Rocking has raced eight times in stakes class without winning, albeit going close on several occasions.''

Fast 'N' Rocking, prepared by Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes, finally began to realise his potential with his impressive two-lengths win over Prince Harada in the McNeil Stakes.

"On that occasion he showed a good turn of foot, running on strongly from off midfield in the straight to quickly gather in the leaders,'' Crispe said.

"Despite running about in the closing stages and causing crowding to other runners, something that cost his race rider Brett Prebble some time out of the saddle through suspension, Fast `N' Rocking was impressive easing down in the closing stages.

"That effort earned him a new career peak Timeform rating of 117 and I expect him to build on that again, especially as he now gets out to 1400m this preparation.''

Criterion (right) wins a bumping duel with Fast 'N' Rocking to score in the Todman Stakes.

Crispe said the main dangers to Fast 'N' Rocking on Timeform ratings are Sidestep and Prince Harada with the best value hopes Thermal Current and Drago.

Darley Crown Lodge supremo Peter Snowden has already won three Golden Roses with Forensics (2008), Denman (2009) and Epaulette (2012) and he has Sidestep to represent him tomorrow.

"Sidestep has had no luck in his two runs this preparation and is due for things to go his way,'' Crispe said.

"He should be ready to produce his best form and his record third up is one start for one win in the Pago Pago Stakes, a week prior to his gallant second in the Golden Slipper.

"I expect him to run a much improved race in the Golden Rose and if he can get back to producing his 119 Timeform rating, he should be right in the finish.''

Prince Harada won his first two starts before his luckless second behind Fast 'N' Rocking in the McNeil Stakes.

"After settling near last early, Prince Harada made valuable ground in the home straight but was crowded for clear running about 100m from the winning post, overcoming that to still grab second place,'' Crispe said.

"Prince Harada ran to a new Timeform peak rating of 109 and clearly the colt has more to give. Prince Harada should enjoy a good run from his rails barrier, especially in the hands of Hugh Bowman who has won three Golden Rose renewals.''