Talented galloper Jon Ol Rocco provided trainer Andrew Carston with a coveted winner during NZ Cup Week.
The five-year-old gelding was successful in the Avon City Ford Premier (2000m) on Wednesday with Joe Doyle on board.
Jumping from barrier five, Jon Ol Rocco settled in parked position. At the 600m mark he was asked for an effort and he ran down the leader Patsys Lass with his customary high cruising speed on display.
“He’s been good today,” Doyle said. “He was quite keen in the run and that worried me a touch but I think that bit of class that he has just prevailed.
“He was very good, he’s very honest, he’s a good big strong galloping horse and I’m really excited for him in the future.”
Jon Ol Rocco has now won six and placed in five of 19 starts netting almost $200,000 for owner Tom Dyer.
Carston said that while he is an extremely talented horse things have not always gone his way.
“Things haven’t gone to plan with him,” he said. “It’s been no rider’s fault, just wet tracks and things but we’re back on track today.
“It looked a nice race for him on paper and it panned out really well. Joe was nice and relaxed when he came out and he rode him well.”
Bred by Jamieson Park, Jon Ol Rocco is by Little Avondale Stud’s Time Test out of Famous Attraction, and he was a $40,000 Karaka Book 1 yearling purchase for Paul Willetts from his breeder’s draft in 2021.
It was a great day for Carston, who trains at Riccarton, with two second placings to complement the win.
Miss Ziggy finished second in the Speight’s Premier Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m) and Taimate Staar was runner up in the Haase Marshall Drainage Premier (2000m).
“Miss Ziggy is a very promising filly and Taimate Staar won’t be a maiden for long,” Carston said.
Watch the replay of Jon Ol Rocco’s win here.
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