Lone Rock sent her residual value soaring when she gunned down Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily to win today’s Group One The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

A member of the in form Robert Smerdon stable, Lone Rock was ridden perfectly by top local rider Clare Lindop and the filly was able to race clear late to beat a crack field.

Smerdon was a happy man – and relieved his owners had elected to run her here than in another lesser graded race on the day.

“She’s been flying this filly and I was always heading her to this race but when I saw the line up I was tempted to go to the fillies and mares race – the Proud Miss.”

“But the owner was committed – he said she’s a Group Three winner so let’s give her a chance at Group One – I’m rapt.”

“She’s a very talented filly. She’s done everything right this prep. She’s had a faultless preparation.”

“We had a chance if things fell into place and credit to Clare – she’d done her homework – she knew exactly where she wanted to be and carried it off beautifully.”

Adding further satisfaction to the win for Smerdon was the fact the filly is raced by one of the stable’s most loyal clients.

“It’s a really good result. He’s been a long time client (the owner) Tony Bongiorno – probably been with me 20 plus years. He’s had a lot of horses but this is his first Group One.”

“She was always a bit underdone. Each run was a stepping stone in coming here. This is the first day she’s been really ready to produce what she’s got.”

“We knew she had a big run in her and we were just waiting for that day. This was the aim right from the time she came in from the paddock.”

In winning her main mission of the campaign, Lone Rock will almost certainly head to the paddock with Melbourne’s spring carnival in mind.

“I think she’ll probably head for a break and then we’ll look at what there is in the spring – job done!”

Lone Rock ($31) raced to Crystal Lily ($4.20 fav) in the straight and then pulled away to win by a widening length and a half margin.

Consistent galloper Pinwheel ($7) edged out Valentine Miss ($13) for third place, a long neck behind the runner-up.

Among the also rans were proven Group One winners Response, Ortensia, Eagle Falls and Toorak

The win was the fourth at Group One level for popular local rider Clare Lindop.

“I’m very excited,” Lindop beamed. “Morphettville at 1200 metres – it’s my favourite course and distance to ride.”

“I was a bit wide, but had cover and travelled well the trip. We got the right split at the top of the straight.”

“When I said go she really unleashed. Full credit to the horse and to Robert Smerdon’s team,” she added.

Lone Rock, a daughter of Coolmre Stud’s red hot sire Fastnet Rock, was purchased by the Aquanita Racing team for $75,000 from the draft of Glastonbury Farms at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The valuable broodmare prospect has already earned almost $400,000 and she’s just a three-year-old with her life ahead of her.

She is the only runner to date for her dam, the twice winning Lion Cavern mare, Pride of Pine – a half sister to stakes placegetter and three time winner Calm Before.

Second dam Storm as Night is a half sister to the stakes winners Procrastinate (dam of Laisserfaire, Foreplay, Time Thief and Personify), Galapagos Girl and Kampaign.

Lone Rock’s dam Pride of Pine will be offered at the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale as part of a quality draft from Glastonbury Farms.

She was served last spring by Fastnet Rock – thus the resultant foal will be a full relation to today’s Group One winner.

Pride of Pine has been catalogued as lot number 752 and she is due to go under the hammer at the Gold Coast during the fourth session of the National Sale on May 29.

Earlier this year a full sister to Lone Rock was purchased by Kieran Moore for $230,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Winner: Lone Rock (Fastnet Rock-Pride of Pine)
Race: SAJC The Goodwood G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $75,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Glastonbury Farms (As Agent)
Buyer: Aquanita Racing
Earnings: $397,578
Owner(s): Mr AS & Mr JA Bongiorno
Trainer: Robert Smerdon (Caulfield)