Rocket Spade is SW167 for Fastnet Rock winning the Gr2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie.
Rocket Spade was settled just behind the early speed set by Screaming Eagle before coming out three wide to challenge into the home straight, striking the front 250m out then staying on well to defeat Jason Belltree (Ferlax) and On Display (Showcasing).
It is the second win from five starts for Rocket Spade, a $425,000 Inglis Australian Easter yearling purchase by Hermitage Thoroughbreds from the draft of Tyreel Stud.
He is one of two winners out of Affairoftheheart (Fusaichi Pegasus), a winner of six races in New Zealand and runner-up in the Listed Karaka Ckassic at Counties.
Affairoftheheart is a half-sister to dual Gr1 winner Soriano (Savabeel), winner of the Zabeel Classic and Herbie Dyke Stakes, as well as Gr3 Premier’s Cup at Eagle Farm winner Kaiser Franz (Savabeel).
The granddam Call Me Lily (Just A Dancer) won eight races including the Listed Wagga Gold Cup.
Inbred 3×4 to Danzig, Rocket Spade is bred on the same Fusaichi Pegasus cross as Gr1 winners Catchy and Albany Reunion.
From 43 runners out of Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector) mares Fastnet Rock has 30 winners for six stakes performers.
Fastnet Rock also has Australian Gr1 winners Shoals, Lone Rock, Amicus and Super Cool out of mares from the Mr Prospector sire-line.
Rocket Spade is one of three stakes winners on the day for Fastnet Rock following Gr1 winner Avantage and Eleven Eleven.