When both trainer and jockey get excited about a maiden winner, it’s often worth taking notice.
That was certainly the case with Rock Fest, who made a dazzling start to his racing career in a 1200m handicap at Belmont on Wednesday, careering away to win by nearly six lengths.
Ben Pearce, who shares the training responsibilities with his brother, Dan, has long maintained that the son of Awesome Rock was brimming with talent, based on his work at home.
On race day, the promising three-year-old gelding delivered when it mattered most, validating Pearce’s confidence in his ability-and he believes it’s a sign of better things to come.
“We’ve been getting excited,” Pearce said.
“Every time I get off him I tell everyone how nice he is.
“I kind of expected him to do that, but to see it happen is another thing.
“It was some sort of debut.”
Ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, Rock Fest settled second last in the small field of seven, but by the 200m he had the race shot to pieces and booted clear to set up a commanding victory.
“It was good to see him get a nice trail into it, but we didn’t have any plans coming into the race,” Pearce said.
“We just wanted to him to have a feel about and let Clint have a feel of him.”
Pearce won’t be wrapping Rock Fest in cotton wool. He’s keen to extend his campaign and believes he will eventually become an above average stayer.
“It will be nice to see him have three or four and get up to a staying trip,” Pearce said.
“That’s been our intentions all the way through, we think he will be a top-quality stayer.
“We’d been looking to try and having a good look at that this prep.
“He’s got the shape of a stayer and has a good heart rate and his work at home continues to improve.
“I think he’s going to win some really nice races.”
Johnston-Porter, not prone to overstatements, was just as effusive as Pearce in his post-race assessment.
He was clearly impressed by Rock Fest’s win in the Morley Growers Market Handicap (1200m).
“It’s not often I get excited, me and the trainer get excited at the same time,” Johnston-Porter said.
“Before I trialed him, Ben’s been frothing about the horse and said it was going to be his number one.
“He gave me an awesome feel, and I said to him (Pearce) he’s not far off here.
“Look, to be honest, the only way he was going to get beat is if he was held up.
“He’s going to get further; he’s bred to stay.
“Hopefully it’s the start of a great campaign.”
Julio Santarelli