Justin Rock is the first Graded winner and SW3 for Leontes winning the Gr3 Kyoto Nisai Stakes (2000m) for 2yos at Hanshin.
Settled in second last place through the first half of the race, Justin Rock made a forward move down the back straight to be pressing for the lead wide out around the home turn.
Be Astonished and Fidele were fighting it out with Justin Rock challenging on the outside, asserting his authority close home to defeat Be Astonished (American Patriot) by a half-length with Fidele (Heart’s Cry) close up in third. (pic: JRA)
It is the second win from three starts for Justin Rock who finished second in the other.
Japan’s Champion 2YO Colt on 2015, Leontes (King Kamehameha) is a half-brother to Epiphaneia and Saturnalia with all three of his stakes winners to date carrying duplications of Sunday Silence.
King Kamehameha (Kingmambo) got his Champion sons Duramente, Rose Kingdom and Belshazzar out of mares by Sunday Silence while his Champion son Lord Kanaloa is also enjoying good success with mares carrying Sunday Silence, notably Champion Almond Eye and Gr1 winner Stelvio.
Inbred 4×3 to Sunday Silence, Justin Rock is one of four winners out of his dam Flower Rock (Ammirare) with his granddam Cassiopeia Lady (Danehill) a half-sister to Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup winner Hokuto Vega (Nagurski).
Further back, Justin Rock traces to Mumtaz Mahal, his 10th dam, through Queen Mary Stakes winner Rivaz (Nearco).