A decisive midweek win by Awesome Rock has confirmed a step up to Group company for the Leon Corstens-trained colt.
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Corstens said the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes would be the next target for Awesome Rock who is also nominated for the $1 million ATC Sires’ Produce during the Sydney carnival.
Awesome Rock won Wednesday’s 1300m event at Sandown by two lengths from Tasbeeh after settling just off the speed and stamping his authority inside the final 200 metres.
Corstens said things did not go to plan when the colt was seventh as favourite on debut over 900m at Bendigo earlier this month.
“He was quite unlucky at his first start at Bendigo,” Corstens told TVN.
“I’ve always had a good opinion of him and I think he’ll make a really nice horse.
“We’ll aim him at the Sires’ Produce at Flemington next and the 1400 metres there should be right up his alley.”
Canberra trainer Matthew Dale also had a satisfying victory at the meeting when Chelsea Hotel held on in a tight finish to win the 1200 mares’ race on the program.
Dale has an exceptional record when he takes horses to Melbourne and his astute placement of Chelsea Hotel gave the mare a valuable metropolitan victory.
“She was the right horse in the right race at the right time,” Dale said.
“It’s a long way to travel but we picked the race out a couple of weeks ago and it’s a good result.
“She is a nice mare. We wanted to get city form and the Sydney races are getting strong heading to the carnival so this was a nice race for her.”
Under strong riding from Chad Schofield, Chelsea Hotel beat Dasilva by a half neck.
Sandown was also a happy hunting ground for The Bowler who claimed his first win as a three-year-old with a decisive 2-1/4 length victory.
The colt is trained by Tony Vasil who revealed this week he was being treated for depression.
Managing owner Jason Love sent his best wishes to Vasil saying he hoped to be able to celebrate with him soon.
Group Three-placed when runner-up to Kuroshio in the 2013 Blue Diamond Prelude, The Bowler’s other two wins have been on provincial tracks.
