Rockpool (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The 109-rated three-year-old Futura gelding Rockpool ran an eyecatching third in the Grade 3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m on Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s tight Old Course on Saturday, producing a flying finish after being dropped out to last from a wide draw, to finish 0,80 lengths behind his Justin Snaith-trained stablemate Itsrainingwilliam.
The connections said after the race they would keep him in Cape Town to run in the third leg of the Winter Series, the Grade 3 Pocket Power Stakes over 2400m, but they have had a subsequent mind change and he will now be traveling to KZN for the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on June 10 in an attempt to qualify for the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
He was not on the first July log, so will probably need to win it to be included in the July final field.
Snaith Racing hinted the Cup Trial would be better for him if it was over 2000m as they clearly believe he will get the July trip.
Nevertheless, owners Nick Jonsson and Nancy Cossack and the Snaith team have decided now to take their chances.
Rockpool is one of the most intriguing horses in training, because he has a huge stride and throws his front legs up high too.
However, he displayed a good turn of foot on Saturday and should be effective on the tight Hollywoodbets Greyville track.
He was bred by Applewood Trading (Pty) Ltd T/A Ndoro Stud and is out of the Jallad mare Miss Delish, who won once over 1400m at Arlington.
Miss Delish has also produced the multiple Listed winner in Zimbabwe, Dindingwe, who is a full sister to Rockpool.
