Lone Rock has continued her impressive preparation by winning the Group 1 The Goodwood at Morphettville today.
The three-year-old filly took out her first Group 1 victory in style, storming down the home straight to win the $350,000 race by 1.6 lengths.
Trainer Robert Smerdon was impressed with his young filly’s winning performance.
“She’s been flying this filly and we’ve always been heading towards this race but when I saw the line-up I was tempted to go to the fillies and mares race, the Proud Miss,” Smerdon said.
“But the owner was committed. He said let’s give her the chance. She’s a Group 3 winner but let’s give her a chance in the Group 1.
“She’s a very talented filly. She’s done everything right and had a faultless preparation. We knew we had a chance if everything fell into place.
The trainer was happy to have been able to deliver a Group 1 win to Lone Rock’s connections.
“It’s a really good result,” Smerdon said.
“He’s a long time client Tony Bongiorno – he’s been with me 20 plus years.
“We’ve had a lot of horses but this is his first Group 1 win.”
Jockey Clare Lindop scored her second Group 1 win aboard Lone Rock in the race.
“Credit to Clare (Lindop),” Smerdon said.
“She had done her homework and knew exactly where she wanted to be and carried it off beautifully.”
Lone Rock won The Goodwood ahead of Crystal Lily and Pinwheel in a time of 1 minute and 9.08 seconds.
