Racing: Group one deserved after so many near-misses

Tony Cole reckons he deserved Rockabubble's group-one victory at Te Aroha on Saturday and that's a difficult stance to argue against.

He had gone tantalisingly close with Travellin' Man finishing in minor placings in each of New Zealand's group-one sprints, the Railway, Telegraph and Waikato Draught, plus the Thorndon Mile and what was the Auto Auctions.

But what really hurt was Furnish being beaten a nose by Surface in the Auto Auctions.

"Especially when I thought we had won it," said Cole after Rockabubble produced a stunning finish to easily win the $120,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders' Stakes on Saturday.

With his track record Cole might have been a Doubting Thomas - instead he was confident, and why not. Rockabubble has won five of her six starts since being transferred to Cole to soak up a quiet environment.

"And I blame myself for her not being unbeaten with me. I was too easy on her after her first-up win from my stable and she needed her second race."

Rockabubble is at the crossroads. The group-one victory that will ensure an extremely profitable broodmare career is now a reality, but where to race from here?

The options are the $150,000 Easter at Ellerslie or a Queensland campaign. Cole has yet to discuss the matter with the syndicate that races the mare and will meet syndicate spokesman Bruce Honeybone at the Counties Racing Club's barrier trials at Paeroa tomorrow.

"It depends on what the syndicate have in mind for the mare long-term. The Easter and Queensland may not be an option. If she's to go to Australia she really needs some time in the spelling paddock right now.

"If she goes to Australia the main target would probably be something like the race Miss Potential won, the Winter Stakes, a 1500m race at Eagle Farm at the end of June."

Rockabubble is the perfect type for Australia, a mare who can run along at a high cruising speed and finish off with a devastating sprint.

She is probably a difficult horse to handicap for a race like the Easter Handicap - she has not started in an open class handicap, but has a stakes victory as a juvenile and now a group-one victory against older own-sex opposition.

Rockabubble was ridden by Reese Jones, who has a close association with the Cole stable. It was Jones' second group-one success, the first coming several seasons ago on Happyanunoit in the Ford Manawatu Sires Produce.

"She's a terrific mare and I rate her up there with Miss Potential as among the best I've ridden."

Runner-up, 3-year-old filly Spin'N Grin was equally devastating. She copped a check in the home straight and rallied so strongly she was able to flash home at Rockabubble, who herself was sprinting hard.

Spin'N Grin had been feeling the hard summer tracks and looks to be in for a profitable autumn when it finally rains.

Trainer Mark Walker said he will aim the filly at the $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique at Tauranga on April 9.

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Lance O'Sullivan may not have had luck with Calveen during the Breeders Stakes, but he absorbed tremendous pleasure from the win of class juvenile Crepe De Chine.

O'Sullivan has had nothing but headaches with the Pins filly since she beat Dr Green on debut at Ellerslie, a tweaked muscle in the hindquarters proving very frustrating.

Crepe De Chine jumped to the front and ran 1000m in a remarkable course record 1.2.46.

The time made debut runner Crusoe look similarly outstanding in running third after missing the start by three lengths. It was a particularly tough run from the youngster, who does not look as though he lacks fight.

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A maiden victory would not normally solicit the smile Richard Yuill produced after Swigilo's win, but first wins in racing are precious. First win, that is, training solo without longtime partner Colin Jillings.

That won't be the last Yuill wins with Swigilo, who dropped 2 1/2 lengths last early and won untouched by 1 1/4 lengths.