A story that began almost eight years ago with a visit to a weanling sale had yet another chapter added at Flemington on Saturday when Rockpecker claimed the Listed Vic TAB Guaranteed $2m Quaddie Stakes.
Rockpecker ($12), a $1250 purchase when he was five months old, provided his family of owners their ninth win thanks to a perfect ride from Craig Williams when he scored by a half-length from Playwright with Happy Trails a nose away third.
For trainer Ken Fythe the win was both a tribute to his judgment and his training skills.
In 2004 Fythe, his sister and his granddaughter went to a horse sale where they spotted a tiny colt they all fell for.
“We just liked him straight away,” Fythe said.
“So we bought him very cheaply and it has been a pretty lucky ride since then.”
The win took Rockpecker’s race earnings to more than $620,000, with more in store.
“He’s been a terrific horse, he always puts in and he really responds well to Craig’s riding,” Fythe said.
“He’s a very kind rider.”
Fythe has nothing in particular in mind for Rockpecker over the coming months, but he’s confident of coaxing another win or two out of the eight-year-old.
“He isn’t overraced and we look after him pretty good, so I don’t see why not,” he said.
Rockpecker brought up a winning treble on the day for Williams who has a long association with the gelding.
“I’ve ridden this horse for three seasons and had a lot of success with him,” Williams said.
The relationship between horse and rider extended beyond the race with the four-time champion jockey passing on what proved to be some winning advice to Fythe.
“His run last time was excellent … but he hung in really bad,” he said.
“So I told Ken he should change things around a bit because he’s a very finicky horse.”
Fythe fitted a new bit and Williams did the rest, putting Rockpecker into a perfect spot then producing him at the right moment to steal a break on the fast-finishing Playwright.