By Tom Frary
1st-WDS, £4,500, Cond, 4-10, 2yo, 5f 10yT, 1:00.79, gd.
+ROCK OF ESTONIA (IRE) (c, 2, Society Rock {Ire}–Estonia {GB}, by Exceed and Excel {Aus}), sent off the 5-1 joint-second favourite, was smartly away and keen in front throughout the early stages. Ridden with hands and heels all the way, the 68,000gns TATFOA foal and 90,000gns TAOCT yearling kept finding to hold Angel of the South (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) by a neck. “He's a smart horse and he had the race won at the furlong pole,” jockey Jamie Spencer said of Rock of Estonia, who becomes the first winner for Tally-Ho Stud's now-deceased Society Rock (by Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}). “He's a big horse with a good action and a good mind.” Trainer Charlie Hills added, “He showed good speed and hopefully will improve off this. He could come back here for a race in three weeks' time, or there is a race at Ascot during the Sagaro meeting.” The winner hails from a Juddmonte family in which the Daytona H. winner and GIII San Simeon H. runner-up Night Chapter (GB) (Night Shift) is a key member alongside the Listed Prix Coronation winner Dreamt (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). He is one of the very few sons of Society Rock, who captured the G1 Golden Jubilee S. and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and died last year after suffering from laminitis. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $3,602. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Kangyu Int. Racing (HK) Ltd & Mr F Ma; B-Colin Kennedy (IRE); T-Charles Hills.
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