SAND FEB 03 - ROCK FACE’S SOLID START TO CAREER

By Scott Gooley | Thursday, February 4, 2010

Sandown Hillside, February 3, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - Out 8m.
Super Vobis Handicap (3yo) - 1000m. Time: 56.99 (Carrying 57kg).
1 Rock Face; 2 Off The Planet; 3 Womby Princess.

James Winks recorded his first city winner since returning from Hong Kong when he piloted debutant Rock Face to victory in the Burrabil Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on Wednesday.

Lining up against five other rivals, the three year old son of Encosta De Lago was only fairly away on jumping and settled at the tail of the small field.

Only three lengths covered the compact field as they turned on the Hillside course to face the long run home to the judge.

Sitting behind the leaders and travelling well within himself, Winks waited patiently for a run to present itself between the leading horses and, when the opportunity arose at the 350m mark, the Danny O’Brien trained colt wasted no time in taking it.

Rock Face hit the lead together with race favourite Off The Planet ($3.00) who had begin to make her run wider on the track.

Together they raced into the last furlong three lengths clear of their nearest rival and whilst Off The Planet challenged valiantly, Rock Face ($3.30) always appeared to have her measure and recorded a long neck victory with three and a quarter lengths to third placed Womby Princess ($4.20).

Stable representative for Danny O’Brien, Gerard Tesoriero, was relieved after the race that the stable’s patience with Rock Face had been finally rewarded.

“He was a very slow maturing horse.”

“He had a few hiccups as a two year old, but we’ve finally got him to the races and he’s shown us he’s been worth the wait.”

“He’s still obviously learning, he wanted to wonder about when he got to the inside on his own but when James got stuck in to him the last 100m, he really stuck his head out.”

Winks was also relieved, but for more personal reasons.

“It’s taken a lot longer than I would’ve liked but I finally got one.” He said in reference to riding his first city winning since returning to Australia.

As for his assessment of the horse: “To his credit, he took the gap when it presented itself. He took a while to warm up but he was very strong on the line.

Being out of the mare Freckled Face, Rock Face is a half brother to Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed, Face Value.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Womby Princess knuckled on jumping. Gauteng, which was slow to begin, was hampered shortly after the start when tightened for room by Off The Planet and Rock Face which shifted in.

J Maskiell rider of Gauteng could offer no explanation for the poor performance today however indicated that the gelding would be suited over a longer distance.

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