Joes Rock – Southern Belle

Ryal Bush trained harness racing mare Joes Rock (Racing Hill) has become a bit of a southern darling. Today (Apr. 13), after an excellent drive by Nathan Williamson she won the southern mare’s crown – the $30,000 SSBA/Vet South Equine Southern Belle Speed Series Final at Winton.

Although the race didn’t have strong numbers it was full of talent and Joe’s Rock shared the second line of betting, behind Canterbury five year old Kikorangi Blue (Betterthancheddar).

Having strung together an outstanding form line over summer and autumn, Joes Rock disappointed at the Northern Southland meeting a month ago running last. So trainer Brett Gray had to regroup.

“At her last start things went wrong so we reverted to what we did before the big mare’s race in Christchurch by running her in a fresh state and it turned out well,” he said.

The team were confident of a good showing today after they took the mare to the workouts at Winton a week ago.

“It was a quiet run, he (Williamson) never let her go or pulled the plugs and said she went super.”

JOES ROCK REPLAY

In today’s mares feature Kikorangi Blue and Lifes A Beach (Bettor’s Delight) took turns at setting up the early pace with Joes Rock facing the breeze six lengths off the leader. Cover soon arrived when Folklore (Sportswriter) came around. At the 300 Forklore hit the front with Joes Rock on her tail. Under strong urging by Williamson Joes Rock let down nicely to beat a late charging Tayla Me (American Ideal) by a length and a quarter.

The winning time was 1-56.1 with the last 800 run in 56.9.

Gray has always said that a mile doesn’t suit Joes Rock whom he feels is better suited to the staying trip.

“No, I don’t think she is suited to the short distances, but Nathan produced his usual genius drive.”

Joes Rock began her racing career in Canterbury with David Moore, before Robert and Sharyn Symon bought her and sent her south to Gray.

“She’s taken a bit of time to find her groove. She’s such an honest wee girl, there’s not much of her but she gives you a hundred and ten percent.”

Gray says he’ll have to talk to the Symons before mapping out a pathway for Joes Rock but is leaning towards the Uncut Gems.

“She is eligible for The Country Cups but I’m a wee bit cold on that.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink