Promising four-year-old Rua Rocks (NZ) (El Roca) broke maiden company at Taupo on Friday when taking out the Mitre 10 Mega Taupo (1800m).
The son of El Roca was having his sixth start for trainer Carl Henderson and had been knocking on the door for some time, having placed in three previous outings.
Co-breeder and part-owner Casey Dando was pleased with the win and said his ownership group have taken a patient approach with the gelding.
“He has taken his time, he is not a very big fella,” Dando said.
“There was a bit of talk early on and a bit of money thrown around for him but we would rather race him and have a bit of fun with him.
“I don’t think it will be his last (win). I think he will just get stronger and stronger.
“I bred him with my ex-wife Michelle. We took him to the sales and didn’t get what we wanted for him.”
Formerly running Bradbury Park with his former wife, Michelle Dando, Casey Dando is now enjoying working with a smaller number of mares at his boutique thoroughbred operation, Ardie Thoroughbreds.
“We are mainly foaling down and growing out the young horses,” he said.
“The plan going forward is to focus on selling at the weanling sales as opposed to the yearling sales.
“We are still taking in outside mares and ideally we will get up to about 25 mares.”
Rua Rocks is one of nine winners from the prolific producer Heartache, dam of Group Two winner Sworn To Secrecy and stakes performers One Nite Stand, Brave Heart and Tenko.
