CLOSE FINISH: Rockmemama gets up in the last stride to score at Menangle today. Photo by Sean Cunningham
FANS called for a dead-heat but the judge gave Rockmemama the nod by the barest margin in today’s three-year-old fillies final of the Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge.
Just when Eye See Diamonds (Nathan Jack) looked set to win, Rockmemama dived at her and scored a last-stride win, rating 1:52.4 with even-money favourite Heavens Trend a plucky third after racing without cover for most of the journey.
In a day of upsets, it was a popular win for Newcastle reinsman Mark Callaghan as there was a sprinkling of money for the daughter of Rocknroll Heaven as she started at $7.90.
It was the stringbean Callaghan’s first Group One success. Likewise for trainer Darryl Thomas, who is based at Sawyers Gully.
“Yes that was quite a thrill,” said Callaghan.
“Darryl seems to be able to get this horse to peak at just the right time.
“That’s what he did for Bathurst and she won with authority and this was her fourth run in again today and she’s peaked again and she’s won again.
“I thought we’d either be behind the leader or three back on the fence and I wasn’t too concerned either way . . . as long as we were tracking the good horses - and we were, I knew I’d be right there.
“So it all worked out well.
“They ran a quick last half so she did a good job to get over the top of them.”
Callaghan has three young boys who help out around the stables. All three were on hand to cheer and there were even a few tears on the pedestal as they savoured their father’s biggest win.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TELEPHONE NSWHRC RACING MANAGER DAVID WONSON ON (02) 4645-2200.
