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Southern Rock to make Australian debut at Caulfield

OTI acquired a 50% interest in Southern Rock from respected trainer David O’Meara, after the horse won his first race. Following 3 more wins during the gelding’s 3yo season, the remaining 50% was purchased and the horse sent to Archie Alexander to train.

In the UK, Southern Rock showed tenacity in his races to win by small margins over distances between 1600m and 2000m.

Below is a recent interview with Archie on the horse…

Trainer Archie Alexander is unsure what imported galloper Southern Rock will produce in his Australian debut at Caulfield.

Southern Rock is set to join stablemate Kiwia in a handicap over 1600m on Saturday, a race that will give Alexander a better insight into the Irish-bred four-year-old’s capabilities.

Southern Rock has won four of his eight starts and started his career with Andre Fabre in France before joining Dave O’Meara’s stable in England.

 

“He’s a bit of weird horse to get a guide on so it will be interesting to see him kick off, but he has got a lot of ability” Alexander said.

“We’ve got no idea where this horse will get to, whether he’s a benchmark horse or whether he might be a Group horse. And I’ve got no idea if he’s a miler, 2000 or a 2400-metre horse.”

“He’s run in Listed races in England but we’ll start him off quietly and see where he gets to.”

Since Southern Rock arrived in Australia last year Alexander has worked on getting him to put on weight and strengthening him for the preparation ahead.

Just how far Southern Rock progresses this campaign will be revised after his first couple of races.

“This prep is a learning process with him” Alexander said.

“I’ve said to the owners he never wins a gallop by much, he doesn’t finish far behind them by much, and only does enough. He doesn’t pull in his gallops but at the end he doesn’t want to stop, so he is an interesting one.”

(Credit: Australian Associated Press)