THOROUGHBRED

The Group 1 2000 Guineas was taken out by ROCK 'N' POP at Riccarton on Saturday.

Aided by a top ride from Jamie Bullard who rides Riccarton so well. He waited for exactly the right moment to make his move before racing away with the $400,000 event with a casual shake of the reins. The reception he received on his return to scale underlined just how popular the Canterbury hoop is. "It doesn't get much better than this," he said. "Winning races on your home track is an awesome feeling but winning a Group I is even better."

Trained by Jason Bridgman, ROCK 'N' POP has several owners who go under the banner of the Te Akau Rock 'n' Pop Syndicate. They paid $1 million to purchase the royally bred colt as a yearling. "He really has untapped potential and I think we might have seen some of it out there today," said Bridgman. "When he is held up for the one run he can be pretty explosive. Considering this is really his first preparation, winning a Guineas is quite an achievement."

While much of the credit for Saturday's victory can go to syndicate manager David Ellis, Bridgman and Bullard said the real man behind the magic is South Island stable foreman Neill Ridley. "I don't think he has had a day off in ages, but he has done such an amazing job, not just with this horse but with the whole team down here and we wouldn't be talking like this without his input."

The New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie next year is now on the horizon for ROCK 'N' POP but Bridgman will be happy to see his new stable star head to the paddock for a well deserved break for now.

ROCK 'N' POP came from three back on the rail on the home turn to work his way into a gap and explode to the lead with a furlong to run. He quickly put the race beyond doubt winning by 1/2 length from brave filly Anabandana with race leader Dollario 1 3/4 lengths back in third.