Six Figure Offer For Opal Rocks Refused

CONNECTIONS of Opal Rocks have rejected a sizeable $120,000 offer for the budding stayer following another electrifying Dapto victory last Thursday night.

Two weeks ago the regally bred daughter of Fernando Bale and Red Rocks scorched over the Dapto 600 metres in a track record breaking 34.08 before repeating the dose last Thursday with a sublime 34.19 effort.

Following the victory, co-owner Toby Weekes was offered $120,000 for the December 2018 whelp, ultimately deciding to hold onto her despite admitting to being tempted by the offer.

"I gave it a bit of thought but at the end of the day she's too valuable a broodbitch down the track to let go of," Weekes said.

"She's from an outstanding line and I still think the best is ahead for her when she gets up over further distance."

It was back in January that Weekes offered Mario Briganti "good" money for the performed Opal Rocks with the intention of sending her to Andy Lord.

"I just saw something in her and Andy has worked wonders with her – he's a master at it," Weekes said.

"Her form in Melbourne was good but Andy has taken her to another level like he does with so many. A couple of years back I bought a bitch called Zipping Cia and Andy got her to run 29.50 at Wenty."

Winner at seven of her 23 starts, the lightly raced Opal Rocks will be aimed at some major staying assignments later in the year.

"She hurt herself the other night which will probably have her out for a few weeks – but it's nothing major," Weekes said.

"The plan will be to race around and pick up a few more 600s and hopefully grab a few more track records and then step her up to 700m.

"Andy said she might be the first dog to break 35 seconds at Richmond for the 618 metres – that's the opinion he has of her.

"At the end of 600m she doesn't even open her mouth. She's got a great constitution."

Opal Rocks' rise to stardom comes at a time that Weekes is grappling with an interim-suspension by the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC).

Last week, GWIC suspended Weekes over allegations he ‘failed to seek timely veterinary treatment for a greyhound in his care that resulted in the euthanasia of the greyhound.'

It's understood the incident – in April 2020 – is in respect to Weekes providing immediate care to his top brood bitch Kerrigan Bale before attending a vet a day later.

"I can't comment too much at the moment but look forward to telling my story soon," Weekes said.

"In the meantime I've had to transfer all my dogs to Jackson Chaker who I own Opal Rocks with."