Peter Morgan believes a patient ride with cover is the key to the prospects of talented three-year-old Amah Rock who tackles 1600 metres for the first time in the Sandown Guineas.
The Fastnet Rock gelding, who made the transition from an Echuca maiden winner to take out the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley at just his second start, faces his toughest test to date at Group Two level on Saturday.
After a nine-week break, Amah Rock ran third to Karuta Queen in the Group Three Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley before finishing third to Guineas rivals Instinction and Mahisara in last Saturday’s Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
The gelding has been ridden by Danny Nikolic at his last three starts but with him on the Mick Price-trained Saint Etienne, James Winks takes over the reins.
Amah Rock has drawn barrier eight in the 16-horse field.
Stewards queried Nikolic last Saturday about his lack of vigour between the 400m to the 200m and he told stewards that he endeavoured to wait as long as possible in the straight as it was Amah Rock’s first time at 1400m and that he was an immature type.
“The idea was that if things were going good to sit a couple of lengths off them and take off at the clock tower,” Morgan said.
“As it was at the 500 metres he was up near the lead and he just sat and sat and sat.
“If we could do it again we probably would have gone 50 metres earlier and we probably would have been in the photo-finish.”
Amah Rock was beaten by a short head and three-quarters of a length.
“Looking at it he was probably a bit unlucky,” Morgan said.
“He drew a bit wide and they seemed to stay inside him and he couldn’t go back and he didn’t want to go forward.
“He probably could have got a cart along around the turn but he chose to go out five or six wide and was almost at the lead at the 500 metres when we didn’t really want to be and then he may have held him a little bit long.
“Into the straight he looked like the winner but they were running pretty slick time and he couldn’t quicken.
“Maybe he should have gone a little bit earlier on him.”
Morgan said he was guessing about whether Amah Rock would run out a solid 1600m.
“Some of the Fastnet Rocks seem to want a bit of ground but when you try them over it they don’t,” he said.
“We just hope we get a good run with cover, ride him patiently, we don’t want to be hitting the front too early.”
Last-start Carbine Club Stakes winner Galah is $3.10 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Mahisara ($6.50), Niagara and Mental ($8.50) with Amah Rock at $10 and Highly Recommended at $11.
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