First past the post in the Group I VRC Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday, but sadly relegated to second on protest was talented Fastnet Rock entire Awesome Rock, a $575,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Newgate Farm.
Prepared by Leon and Troy Corstens, Awesome Rock was a stakes-winner at Flemington last spring and ran the race of his life to down multiple Group I winner Preferment by a narrow margin in the 2000 metre $1.5 million feature.
Troy Corstens was gracious about the outcome of the protest.
“It’s obviously not the way we wanted it to be but we’re very proud of our horse and we’ll give him another chance to win a Group I race,” he said.
Awesome Rock is the first foal of Group III winning Giant’s Causeway mare Awesome Planet and has done a great job in winning over $537,000 in prizemoney for his big group of owners, who include Newgate Farm.