Rock continues his progression in relentless style Rock of Clermont clearly benefited from the application of cheekpieces as he sheds his maiden tag at the third attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden over the extended nine furlongs at Gowran park. Andy Oliver's charge had run respectably on both previous starts, when third in a Curragh maiden, before an improved performance on the all-weather, where he kept on for third. Although breaking sharply, Billy Lee opted to take a lead, the profitable gelding held a prominent position, tracking the front pair throughout. Purchased as a Godolphin cast-off for 30,000 gns by Annette O'Callaghan, he came under pressure over two furlongs out before hitting the front over a furlong out and keeping up the gallop to score by one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Lord Darragh (33/1). The consistent Karrygrant (7/2) was a further head behind in third. The long odds-on favourite Gliondar (4/11F) was severely disappointing as he faded tamely from over two furlongs out and ultimately finished fifth. Oliver said, "He did it well. He's a horse that's improved with every run. He needed the extra furlong the way he was coming home at Dundalk. He's a big horse and he just took the time to develop. "He did it quite nicely and when Billy got to the front, he wasn't doing an awful lot so hopefully that means he has more in the tank. He's still a big baby and the cheekpieces just helped him focus." Additional reporting by John O'Riordan.
