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Run for the first time at Flemington on Oaks Day, the $250,000 VRC Inglis Bracelet (1600m) drew a competitive field of mares with victory going to talented 4YO Pierro mare Rocha Clock, who made it a race to race double for her trainer John O’Shea.
O’Shea also won the previous race, the VRC Off the Track Subzero Handicap (Benchmark 90) for all greys, with European import Berdibek (Fr), who carried the same colors of Sydney owner-breeder Jason Abrahams as does Rocha Clock.
Sixth at her last start in the Gr.3 ATC Angst Stakes at Randwick, Rocha Clock was favorite for the Inglis Bracelet and fit and ready to fire at her third run back from a spell.
She finished with a rush for Hugh Bowman, and despite being a little green to the line was able to hold off a strong challenge from Camelot mare Re-Edit to win by a short neck.
Stakes-placed in the Inglis Scone Guineas last season, Rocha Clock has been handled patiently by John O’Shea and has the overall record of five wins and two seconds from 11 starts with prizemoney in excess of $353,000. Connections no doubt keen to secure further Black Type with her in the future.
Rocha Clock was recorded as a $200,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft, but when that sale fell through the plan was to send her to New Zealand for the Ready to Run Sale for which she was entered.