Rocky Lands Knockout Blow In Puppy Classic

A brilliant front-running performance guided regally bred sprinter Tarawi Rocky to victory in Saturday night's Group 3 Ladbrokes Nowra Puppy Classic Final (520m).

Now in its 20th year, first staged in 2003, the Nowra Puppy Classic is renowned for unearthing future stars of the track.

And this year promised to be no different with a crack field of young sprinters qualifying for Saturday night's $40,000-to-the-winner decider following last week's heats.

Setting the pace for the final with a sizzling 29.48 heat victory was the David Smith-trained Got The Feature but following the box draw the Elderslie conditioner declared Tarawi Rocky to be the better of his chances.

And he was right.

The David Smith-trained Tarawi Rocky has taken out the 2023 @ladbrokescomau Nowra Puppy Classic in a time of 29.45.

The regally bred son of Fernando Bale x Miss Splendamiro finished four lengths ahead of Shaghhai Suzie and Got The Feature.#thedogs pic.twitter.com/FsmSqpVSvd

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) April 22, 2023

Following a terrific getaway from box two, Tarawi Rocky set up a race winning margin to ultimately score by four lengths in a fast 29.45 from outsider Shanghai Suzie which ran a fantastic race for second.

Third another half-length away was Got The Feature, handing Smith first and third in the rich group 3 decider.

“Terrific result and great to win a nice race for Lorraine (Atchison) as well,” Smith said.

“I've only had two or three dogs for her but she's become like family and very supportive.

“I was thinking of taking the two dogs (Tarawi Rocky and Got The Feature) to Grafton for the Cup but I've decided to go to the Bob Payne at Wentworth Park on Saturday night instead.

“I think it might be a bit weaker and it's obviously a lot closer. I think the dog ranks, especially with Simply Limelight now out, might be a bit weaker than the Ladies Bracelet.”

Saturday night's Puppy Classic triumph took Tarawi Rocky's record to 12 wins and 15 placings from 36 starts with prize money now exceeding $80,000.

Owned by Lorraine Atchison, Tarawi Rocky is insatiably bred, a son of Fernando Bale and former nine-time group finalist Miss Splendamiro.