Potential Derby tilt for son of Rock ‘N’ Pop

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained The Mayor could be set for a tilt at the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) after his victory in the Matamata Commercial Cleaners (1600m) at Matamata on Friday.
The three-year-old Rock ‘n’ Pop gelding jumped well, securing a trail behind early leader Rub It In before making his way to the front at the 150m mark and holding out the fast-finishing Flying Feet.
“He showed a turn of foot and it was aided by a good ride from Sam (Weatherley),” Scott said.
“Our horse is going to keep on improving I think because he is bred to go a long way, which is encouraging with the staying three-year-old races coming up. Whether he quite has the strength to get up to those races only time will tell, but today was really encouraging.
“We will have to have a talk with Michael Hughes, who part-owns and manages the horse, I think we have come this far and it’s only a few hand spans away to the Derby.”

Sanctified extends Super Seth’s winning run
Super Seth, crowned New Zealand’s Champion Second Season Sire for 2024/25, added another highlight when Sanctified broke through at Warwick Farm, becoming his 53rd individual winner and further cementing the Caulfield Guineas hero’s remarkable early stud record.
Read More
Savaglee crowned Champion Three-Year-Old of 2024/25
Savaglee, bred by Waikato Stud and trained by Pam Gerard, was crowned Champion Three-Year-Old at the NZ Horse of the Year Awards, capping a season highlighted by his Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas triumph.
Read More