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Juvenile son of Fastnet Rock breaks his maiden with a first-up victory over 1400 metres
Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock) broke his maiden on Wednesday with a first-up victory in the Ghaiyyath New To Darley Maiden (1400m) at Randwick - Kensington.
Trained by Chris Waller, Coastwatch jumped well and settled down in sixth on the rail, with the field led by Maurice's Head (Maurice). On straightening, Costwatch made his run down the outside of the field, quickened well and scored by a nose over Gin Martini (Rip Van Winkle), who came through on the inside of the winner. Maurice's Medad held on for third, a further neck away.
Coastwatch had placed once in his three prior starts and Chris Waller said that he had returned this preparation as a completely different horse.
"It's amazing how much these two-year-olds can change," Waller said.
"Last preparation he was very excitable. He was worrying about everything else except being a racehorse. He felt the pinch at his last start (cardiac arrhythmia) and he's come back as a completely different horse."
"He is a decent horse. I know he has only won a midweek today but I like the way he did it and obviously first up over 1400 metres, I think there is a bit of improvement to come."
Winning jockey James McDonald also holds a high opinion of Coastwatch.
"He is a beautiful horse and the further he goes, he is a lovely strong horse now and he'll cope with whatever is put in front of him," McDonald said.
"It was pretty smooth sailing. He began really well, he's had his blinkers off and his visors on which was a good move, he was able to see them coming.
"He needs the blinkers just to keep him focused being a Fastnet Rock colt."
Bought by Mulcaster Bloodstock for $750,000 at last year's Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud, the son of Fastnet Rock is raced by a group that includes Coolmore, Westerberg and Sir Peter Vela. He becomes the fifth winner for dual winning Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) mare Bullion Mansion who has also produced Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt) and the stakes placed Shiralee (Stratum). Coastwatch's second dam is Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) winner La Volta (Laranto) whilst this is also the family of Group 2 winner Seaburge (Sebring).
Coolmore will offer Coastwatch's Pierro (Lonhro) half-brother at this year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with that colt catalogued as Lot 228. Bullion Mansion also has a filly by Coolmore Australia shuttler Justify (Scat Daddy) and was covered again last December by Pierro.
Fastnet Rock (Danehill) has been enjoying a successful season on the racetrack with his progeny that include stakes winning juvenile Sneaky Five amongst six two-year-old winners in Australia for the sire. He has sired a total of 14 stakes winners in Australia and New Zealand this season headed by Group 1 winning trio Avantage, Rocket Spade and Personal while Glenfiddich, Parure, O'President and Dreamforce have all won at Group 2 level for the son of Danehill (Danzig).