Another Stakes-Winner Foaled and Raised at Widden

Talented, but enigmatic four year-old Fast ‘n’ Rocking bounced back to his very best form to win the Group III MRC Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

Trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Fast ‘n’ Rocking surged to the line to outpoint Generalife and win the 1300 metre sprint by a half head.

Backing up from an unlucky third at Flemington last Saturday, the four year-old son of Fastnet Rock took his record to four wins from 22 starts with prizemoney topping $727,000.

Second in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes at two and fifth in the Golden Slipper, Fast ‘n’ Rocking looked to be a rising star as a spring three year old last year with a brilliant win in the Group III MRC McNeil Stakes, but lost form shortly after.

Gelded before his current preparation, Fast ‘n’ Rocking has regained his commitment to winning and can doubtless add to his tally in coming months and years.

Bred by Peter Devitt and the late Les Gordon and retained to race, Fast ‘n’ Rocking is the best of three winners from stakes-winning Hennessy (USA) mare For the Good Times, a grand-daughter of prolific matriarch Tautina, whose many significant descendants include Group I winners Just Now, Shiva’s Revenge and Happy Archer as well as horses like Scenic Warrior, Tellson and McClintock.

Fast ‘n’ Rocking carries the Widden Stud brand and his dam For the Good Times has been based at the farm in recent years going to dual Group I winner Nicconi, who was also bred by Mr Devitt and Mr Gordon.

For the Good Times has produced three successive foals to Nicconi and was covered last year by Fast ‘n’ Rocking’s sire Fastnet Rock.