By Jonny Turner
South Seas Rock capped a remarkable three weeks with his monstrous victory at Ascot Park yesterday.
The tough pacer sat parked throughout yesterday’s Woodlands Stud Thanks Southern Breeders Mobile Pace while some talented rivals enjoyed softer runs, but that didn’t stop South Seas Rock from scoring a big win for trainer Tyler Dewe and driver Hayden Douglas.
Over the past three weeks, South Seas Rock has competed with merit at Kaikoura Cup Day, New Zealand Cup Day and Show Day at Addington.
The travel to those meetings and then back home to Invercargill clearly hasn’t left South Seas Rock weary.
“He is a good-doing horse and he thrives off work and he thrives off the racing,” Dewe said.
“I jogged him on the lead on Monday morning and he was very well, so I knew the trip back from Christchurch hadn’t worried him.”
Though South Seas Rock has gone through periods of stringing wins together, his recent efforts to place in strong company on Kaikoura Cup Day and Show Day before winning at Ascot Park means he is arguably in the form of his career.
And it could get better, according to Dewe.
“I’m absolutely rapt with him, it is funny to say as he is a rising six-year-old but he just seems to turning the corner now.”
“He only seems to be getting better.”
Though well known as a front-runner, the early speed in Friday’s event meant the South Seas Rock camp was keen to drive the pacer in behind, saving him for one run.
But that plan went completely out the window when the five-year-old and Douglas were left parked early.
“It didn’t go to script, but Hayden probably did the right thing by not attacking for the lead.”
While South Seas Rock has travelled much of the South Island recently, his owners have been known to travel further to support him.
“He’s owned by Arkwright Conner from Stewart Island and Erin Fox who is up in Nelson,” Dewe said.
“Erin tries to make it down to watch him as much as she can.”
“They are great owners and have been great supporters of us and very good to our team.”
Dewe doesn’t plan to travel too much further than Otago with South Seas Rock with plenty of racing opportunities in the south approaching over summer.
“I am looking forward to Christmas time with him.”
“He ran second at Wingatui last year, so I am looking at heading there next.”
“He will hover around the country cups grade after that.”
Yesterday’s win was South Seas Rock’s seventh victory for the Dewe stable and his sixth with Douglas in the sulky.
