Exciting three-year-old Stop The Rock added to his burgeoning record with an impressive display at Flemington.
Trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, the Gerry Harvey-bred son of El Roca was successful over 2000 metre on Saturday for the third win of his four-start career.
“He’s a lovely horse and has been a real sleeper, all his trials before he raced were pretty moderate,” Michelle Payne said.
“Patrick put the blinkers on for his first start at Warrnambool and he won, he just steps up on race day.”
Stop The Rock was put aside following his debut victory at finished fifth at Cranbourne when resuming before returning to winning ways at Swan Hill over a mile and successfully stepped up to a middle distance at Flemington.
Rider Billy Egan settled the gelding in midfield away from the fence before they picked up ground across the top and finished off resolutely in the straight.
“It was another great ride by Billy, he was very patient and had him comfortable in the run and balanced up,” Payne said.
Stop The Rock was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale by Westbury Stud and knocked down to Patrick Payne for $75,000.
He is one of three winners for the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Shezablonde, whose dam is a sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Nothin’ Leica Dane, who also finished runner-up in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
It is also the upfront family of the G2 Moonee Valley Vase and G1 VRC Derby second Duelled with the G1 Levin Classic winner Hall Of Fame also on the pedigree page.