Grassick gets first Listed win with Texas Rock

Texas Rock served up a 16/1 surprise in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes over seven furlongs in Naas.

Billy Lee sent him into an early lead and the six-year-old gelding had enough in the tank to repel the closers. Drumfad Bay (9/1) got to within a head of him at the line while 8/13 favourite Whitecliffsofdover also threw down a late challenge but was half a length further adrift at the finish.

Trainer Michael Grassick said: "I felt the ground was a bit quicker off the rail and it didn't look like there was going to be anything to make the running so we said we would play to our strengths. There were a few six-furlong horses and we knew our horse stayed well.

"Turning in he got two or three lengths on them and that's what won it for him. He's tough and was pricking his ears just doing enough in front.

"I'm delighted as I bred him and it means that bit more. We still have the mare at home.

"I was just hoping to get a bit of black type today but didn't expect to win. We will probably look for a similar type of race again or maybe take him to England for something like a Hunt Cup.

"He's entered in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown next month so that's a possibility, and he has more options now than he had before today."

This was Grassick's first winner at Listed level and his first winner this season.

Billy Lee added: "I thought he would run well. The ground was probably a bit quick for him the last day in Leopardstown - he ran a good race. Look he was up against it on form. He had solid form in handicaps and I thought he would run a good race.

"He wasn't doing a stroke the last furlong, he was pricking his ears waiting for something to come to him. That's him though, he's always keeping a little bit in reserve. I thought I had kicked enough to take anything that would be coming with a fast finish. He kept going well to the line.

"It's brilliant for Michael, he is getting going now. He's well able to do it. If he can get a couple more horses in he can show his ability."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee