Rock Royalty Shines on Debut


Winning on debut was Pencarrow Racing’s Rock Royalty (Road To Rock x Kailey Princess) in the $7,000 Lamberts Business Centre MDN (1000m) at Taranaki on Thursday.

Rock Royalty entered the race having won her last trial at Rotorua over 1000m for trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie.

“Rock Royalty was our 100th New Zealand winner which was quite special,” commented Ramsay. “She was pretty well placed and Opie (Bosson) rode her well, getting her out and going straight to the front – he rode her like she was the best horse in the field. It was only 1000m but she kicked around the corner and being fresh up she got the job done.”

Leading rider Opie Bosson was aboard Rock Royalty on Thursday, jumping forward from barrier 7 in a seven-horse field. The three-year-old filly worked hard on the outside to race to the lead by a length.

The race-favourite, Rock Royalty was tracked by Jewel Of The Naki (NZ) (Eighth Wonder) throughout the race and challenged Rock Royalty in the home stretch. The pair raced away in the final stages to battle each other for victory but it was Rock Royalty who came out on top by a nose over Jewel Of The Naki and All Dressed Up (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) took third place.

“We haven’t got a specific race lined up for her yet but will look for a Rating 65 next and just continue to take her through the grades,” said Ramsay.

The three-year-old’s first start has earned her $4,375 in prizemoney for her owner Sir Peter Vela who bred her with Philip Vela.

The daughter of Road To Rock is out of winning mare Kailey Princess (Danehill) and is a half-sister to stakes placegetters Propserous Bid (Carnegie), who was placed in the Group 2 Yallambee Classic, and Canny Princess (Canny Lad), runner-up in two Listed races.