Ideal time to break maiden status

STABLEMATES Denny Rocks and Diamond Shooz picked an ideal time to break their maiden status.

Winless from 12 and three starts, the Keith Cotchin-trained pair rectified the situation by capturing Alabar Home Grown Classics at Tabcorp Park Melton during the weekend.

Originally the emergency before gaining a berth in the Group Two as a result of a scratching, Denny Rocks made the most of his opportunity thanks to a brilliant drive by John Caldow.

After being caught four-back along the pegs from barrier seven, Denny Rocks was three-wide along the back stretch before being taken to the extreme outside around the final bend.

Responding to Caldow’s vigorous driving the son of Rock N Roll Heaven sprinted to a two-and-a-half metre win from Carramar Solomona.

Plains In Heaven was six metres away third.

“I was disappointed when he missed a start in the Final but he gained a run when Steve Duffy’s horse came out,” Cotchin said. “After that everything fell into place for him.

“He got a soft run on the pegs while the tempo was on up front and then John did the rest getting him through the field.

“We always thought he was all right and has a good turn of speed and tonight he showed what he is capable of.”

Paying $34 on the Tote, Denny Rocks rated 1:55.1 over 1720 metres, with his time two-and-a-half second quicker than Diamond Shooz.

With James Herbertson in the cart, Diamond Shooz led throughout from barrier five to account for Nonparreil and Haveyoumetdaisy.

“I felt if she found the front without doing too much work she would be hard to beat,” Cotchin said.

“She has improved each time she’s gone around and I can’t see any reason why she won’t continue to improve.”