Awesome Rock defies odds in Group 1 Emirates Stakes
THE critics said Awesome Rock had little chance of winning the Group 1 Emirates Stakes, but the enigmatic five-year-old proved its doubters wrong at Flemington on Saturday.
Winning only its fourth career race from 25 attempts, the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained entire was positioned in second behind Vadamos throughout the race before hitting the front halfway down the straight and holding off the challengers.
The win was co-trainer Troy Corstens first Group one win and he showed plenty of emotion post-race when describing how much training a winner with his father means to him.
“It’s unbelievable. My first Group one that I’ve trained, to do it with dad is amazing. Not a lot of people get to spend a lot of time with their dad, I get to spend 6-7 hours with him a day. As quirky as he is, he’s a champion,” Corstens said.
Having had the Australian Cup taken off them with Awesome Rock due to a protest, Corstens wasn’t going the early crow, just in case.
“We’ll wait for correct weight, never go the early crow,” he quipped.
The ride from Stephen Baster was top class and he tucked Awesome Rock in behind the strong pace set by Vadamos, which was pulling hard in front.
“Perfect ride,” Corstens said. “He did an amazing job Stephen, just have to really thank him. If you sit back and watch the ride he just sat behind Vadamos in the slip stream, just kept him out of that wind the whole way, peeled and knew what he had underneath, it was just brilliant.”
Awesome Rock entered the Group 1 Emirates Stakes having finish fifth in the Cox Plate and despite the good run, punters didn’t want to back it at $18 with Bet365.com.
“We’ve been confident the whole way along,” Corstens said. “Confident he had the Group one in him.”
The emotion continued with Stephen Baster who felt relieved to get the elusive Group one aboard Awesome Rock after being denied earlier in the year.
“I’m going to cry,” Baster said. “He’s been a great horse to me. Losing the Australian Cup was hard.
“I’ve got my little daughter with me today, fantastic to win a Group one winner when she’s here.”
Baster knew the wet track in the Cox Plate wouldn’t suit, so he was looking forward to the dry surface at Flemington.
“The other day at Moonee Valley I was really concerned about the wet track, to his credit he battled on well. Today on the firm track I knew he’d run well.”
Hauraki made up great ground when flashing home to finish in a dead-heat for second with three-year-old Seaburge. Vadamos battled on well for fourth after setting a strong tempo and The United States was another making headway from the tail of the field.
Nine-year-old Happy Trails finished well down the track and was subsequently retired.