Rocky Range could be a surprise starter in Perth’s richest race after scoring a dashing win in Saturday’s listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) at Ascot.

In driving rain, Rocky Range unleashed a sharp sprint approaching the turn and left his rivals off the bit and chasing – it was a winning move as he and rider Patrick Carbery streaked away.

At the post he still had a three quarter length margin over his rivals who never looked a winning chance after the bold move about 600 metres from home.

The win was a welcomed success at stakes level for renowned stayers trainer Alan Mathews.

“First up his run was good and the Northam Cup run was a good run,” Mathews said. “Brad Parnham ended up riding him – and he’d never ridden the horse before.”

“I thought even though he only ran fourth (in the Northam Cup), I thought he attacked the line as good as when he’d been winning races.”

“We were happy and he just loves this place (Ascot),” Mathews added.

“He’s an eight-year-old, he bled at his last prep – it’s a day to day proposition with him.”

‘We’re very careful what we do with him.”

“We did nominate him for the Railway but it was always our intention to send him to the paddock after today because there’s nothing to suit him.”

“He’s won a listed race now – so you never know. I’ve really got no idea (where or when he will race next).”

Rocky Range ($12) led home a trifecta result for Magic Millions graduates with Gum Nut Guru ($10) second and Mega Steel ($8) third. The margins were three parts of a length all round.

The hot favourite Western Jewel ($2.10) wound up in sixth place and never looked a winning chance under William Pike.

Rocky Range, now the winner of nine races, has earned $359,625 – a great return for his owner Donald Hoar.

Hoar purchased the son of Eternity Range from the Mungrup Stud draft at the 2005 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Earlier this year he went to $40,000 to secure his half sister by Flying Pegasus at the same sale.

And a full sister to that filly and half sister to Rocky Range is set to go under the hammer at the 2012 Perth Yearling Sale.

The attractive filly has been entered by the team from Edan Dale Farm at Waroona and is sure to have plenty of admirers at the top producing Belmont Park based auction.

Rocky Range is the third stakes winner for Santa Anita stakes winner Eternity Range and is from the group performed Marooned mare Love the Sun.

Winner: Rocky Range
Breeding: Eternity Range-Love the Sun (Marooned)
Race: WATC Ascot Gold Cup LR (1800m)
Sold for: $36,000
Sale: 2005 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mungrup Stud
Buyer: Donald Hoar
Earnings: $359,625
Owner(s): DE Hoar
Trainer: Alan Mathews (Muchea)

PICS – Damien Wyer.