Racing: Riccarton will rock if Australian wins

Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan warned yesterday to expect some imported noise if Therock is successful in the $1 million New Zealand Guineas at Riccarton on Saturday week.

The astute Ryan said Therock's owners are what you like to see in horse racing - people who enjoy themselves.

"They're a wild bunch of blokes. So if he wins, look out for a bit of noise."

Therock confirmed his trip to Christchurch when he won the A$70,000 3-year-old race at Rosehill on Saturday.

He started $3 favourite and won comfortably.

Therock is by Fastnet Rock from the Australian mare Bumps.

Gerald Ryan has a bit of an opinion of the horse, but he's had to wait for him.

Therock is a big, strong colt and Ryan has been patient.

He gave him a couple of starts as a juvenile then thought enough of him to take him to Melbourne for the A$100,000 Anzac Stakes in April, in which he finished fourth.

He has given him only two starts as a 3-year-old this preparation and he has won them both.

Riccarton will suit him.

"He's 560kg and a big long-striding type and reacts best with plenty of room.

"He's not the sort of horse you could race on a small, tight track. He's a Randwick or Flemington horse."

Although a rider has not been confirmed, Ryan is expecting Therock to be ridden by Australian jockey Nash Rawiller. "Nash said he doesn't have much to ride on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, so he thought he'd be coming to New Zealand."

Rawiller's only ride on the colt was when he won two starts back.

He was ridden on Saturday by Chris Munce.

Track conditions won't worry Therock. It was heavy when he won two starts back at Warwick Farm and the track was so good on Saturday he ran the 1400m of the EPM Transport and Logistics Hcp in a slick 1:22.77.

Therock leaves Sydney on Monday night, flies through Auckland and lands in Christchurch early on Tuesday morning.

His 2000 Guineas form should be a great reference between Australian and New Zealand 3-year-olds.