Enigmatic
Fastnet Rock entire Bull Point had not won a race since taking out the Group
III MRC Manfred Stakes at Caulfield two years ago on this day, but the five
year-old produced the run of his life to lead throughout and win at Randwick on
Saturday.
Transferred to David Vandyke after previously being trained by Gai Waterhouse,
Chris Waller and Tony McEvoy, Bull Point had his mind on the job and pulled out
plenty in the run to the line for Jason Collett to take the 1600 metre open
handicap by the best part of a length.
The Magic Millions sale-topper in 2012 when fetching $960,000 to the bid of
Demi O'Byrne / James Bester Bloodstock, Bull Point started his racing career
for a Coolmore syndicate, but was later on-sold privately when his form tapered
off with his breeder Ian Smith of Edinburgh Park Stud now racing the stallion
in partnership.
"The key to him is going forward," said David Vandyke, who has performed a
minor miracle in bringing his talented charge back to the winner's list.
"We've had to do a lot of work on his confidence. He has Group I ability, which
he shows in trackwork, but it's been a real team effort to get him back.
"We've gone from talking retirement, to talking Doncasters!"
Group I placed twice earlier in his career in the ATC Golden Rose and MRC Sir
Rupert Clarke Stakes, Bull Point has the overall record of four wins and seven
placings from 24 starts with prizemoney of $547,000.
Bred and sold by Ian Smith's Edinburgh Park, Bull Point has a stallion's
pedigree being from Rose of Cimmaron, a full sister to Group III winner and
celebrated producer Mica's Pride, the dam of Group I star Criterion, Group II
winner Varenna Miss and stakes-winner Silently.
Rose of Cimmaron is now owned by Mrs Belinda Bateman and produced a colt by
Exceed and Excel last spring and is back in foal to him.
Her current yearling, another colt by Fastnet Rock, will be offered at the 2016
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 42 by Newgate Farm.
Edinburgh Park have a small select draft for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
starting tonight. Click here to see their draft.