Racing: Colt rocks up with perfect timing for yearling syndicator

James McDonal guides the promising Petty Cury to victory at Ellerslie yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Timing in life has won wars, and lost horse races.

Timing, as far as Te Akau Racing is concerned, could not have been more exquisite than when Rock 'N' Pop won last night's $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie.

When you pay $1 million for a yearling colt at Karaka and parade it to win a stakes race 16-20 hours before probably paying another million for one 364 days later, it can't be a bad thing.

And particularly when the horse was involved in a to-the-death struggle to win by a breath.

Te Akau principal David Ellis wore the smile only a million-dollar result can pull out of a human as he was interviewed in the Ellerslie birdcage.

Rock 'N' Pop looked certain to be run down by Mosh Pit and Corey Brown when that pair stormed up the middle of the track in the closing stages.

However, Rock 'N' Pop somehow held on, despite the stable being concerned the horse was not rock hard fit.

"There is a lot of physical improvement in this horse," said Ellis and trainer Jason Bridgman was quick to back that statement up.

Rock 'N' Pop finished last of five runners following a break after his surprise 2000 Guineas victory at Riccarton.

That beaten performance was no huge surprise to Bridgman, given how big the horse was in condition.

But the surprise was he was fit enough to come back when looking beaten yesterday.

This could not have been a better result for Te Akau on the literal eve of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka sale.

"One million is a lot to pay for a horse, but now as a Fastnet Rock colt, the son of a Derby winning Sir Tristram mare [Popsy], he's worth three to four times that amount," said Ellis. Although beaten, Mosh Pit turned in a fine run, coming from a maiden win at her previous start.

"She's a lovely filly," said trainer Graham Richardson.

Last year's Karaka Million winner Fort Lincoln fought well for third without threatening, a head of Classcoroc and Divine Spice.

James McDonald says he has never had an easier horse to ride than Petty Cury. And watching the way the well-backed filly settled comfortably into the trail before winning the Curraghmore Stud 1400, you can believe that.

"She gives new meaning to the term, that horse goes to sleep."

Trainer Don Sellwood says he hasn't got any firm plans, but you can put a fair bit of money they will be decent plans when he does.

"This is a very good filly," said Sellwood as McDonald brought Petty Cury back.