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Star
Australian sprinter Ortensia beat only one runner home overnight in the Group I
Haydock Sprint Cup, which was won by five year-old Rock of Gibraltar stallion
Society Rock.
The Paul Messara trained Ortensia travelled back in the field as is her usual
pattern, but produced little over the final furlongs with connections later
revealing the mare had sustained an inch long to her fetlock in the run.
"The cut was right on the point of the sesamoid and certainly would have
been painful enough to restrict her action," Paul Messara said on Twitter.
The winner Society Rock is no stranger to success at the elite level having won
the Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, the James Fanshawe trained
speedster taking this six fiurlong dash by three-quarters of a length at odds
of 10-1.
"It's been a real team effort. He's is a very underrated horse this
fellow. He was runner-up in the Golden Jubilee before [and] he won it last year,"
said Fanshawe.
Society Rock was ridden by Kieren Fallon, who was posting his first win in the
sprint.
"They didn't go that fast and he travelled ever so well. I got all the splits
down the rail that I needed," he said.
"He's like a little terrier and tries very hard, which is what you need in
a race like this."
A 75,000 guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Society
Rock has won five of 19 starts and is is raced by Simon Gibson.
He is from the stakes-winner High Society, who is by the Chief's Crown horse
Key of Luck giving Society Rock a 3 x 4 double cross of Danzig.
Rock of Gibraltar (pictured) was a regular shuttler to Coolmore Australia for many years,
his last crop of Aussie bred youngsters to be offered at yearling sales next
year.
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