The versatility of Westbury Stud stallion El Roca’s progeny was highlighted by a trans-Tasman double.
On the home front on Saturday, multiple flat winner Rocabury made an impressive start to the next phase of his career while the genuine Lottaroc made it two on the bounce when he struck in South Australia.
The Gerry Harvey-bred Rocabury made his hurdle debut for trainer Kevin Myers at Trentham on Saturday and delivered at the first time of asking with a slender debut victory over 2500 metres.
Rocabury jumped straight to the front and was keen in the early stages before he relaxed into the back straight under rider Dean Parker.
“I didn’t have much choice, but it all panned out really well when he settled,” Parker said.
They were clear over the final two jumps and had enough in reserve to score in a driving finish.
“He was going well at the top of the straight, but I didn’t want to go form too early,” Parker said.
“I saw the other one out of the corner of my eye flying at me late and we got there.
“He is going to improve with that, there’s definitely more in the tank.”
Raced by Bruce and Maureen Harvey, Rocabury was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale by Westbury Stud and was knocked down for $55,000.
He is a son of the late High Yield mare Ugly Betty, who won five races and was twice placed at Listed level.
All seven of her foals have been successful and includes Huka Eagle, who finished third in the G1 Levin Classic before winning a stakes race in Macau.
Meanwhile, Cranbourne trainer David Noonan executed a successful inter-state trip with Lottaroc, who followed up a previous success at Warrnambool with victory over 2000 metres at Murray Bridge.
He lobbed along in second spot under rider Jess Eaton before taking control early in the run home and the five-year-old held on tenaciously for his fifth win from 27 appearances which also features five runner-up finishes.
Lottaroc was bought out of Koru Thoroughbreds’ draft at Karaka for $100,000 by Paul Moroney and Ballymore Stables and broke his maiden for Michael Moroney before relocating to Noonan’s operation.
He is out of the late Dubawi mare Lotta Luv who is a half-sister to the former two-time Singapore Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Rocket Man and to Our Giant, twice a winner at the elite level in South Africa.
