Treasure Island Seeks Another Rocha, Facing Sono Perfetto and Cuan Chef

The 2024 winner returns to Hipódromo de La Plata intent on making history—but will face two rivals with outstanding credentials

Treasure Island pictured winning last year’s running of the Rocha / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The talking is over; now it’s time to dream. The day has arrived. La Plata once again hosts the G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (2400m, dirt), the race that electrifies a city, that stops it in its tracks—a perfect blend of international prestige and the unmistakable spirit of the people who fill the grandstands.

November 19 has a way of writing history. From Derli Gómez to Miriñaque (Hurricane Cat), the race has always delivered big names and unforgettable moments. This afternoon, once more, the country waits for a scene worthy of the record books.

With 20 horses in the starting gate, anything can happen. Talent can fall victim to bad luck, but at a mile and a half—under normal circumstances—class usually prevails.

The 2025 Rocha offers several compelling storylines.There is Treasure Island (Treasure Beach), seeking to win the race for the second consecutive year;Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs), hoping to rediscover the magic that carried him to a demolition victory in last year’s G1 Gran Premio Nacional at Palermo;and Sono Perfetto (Tetaze), aiming for definitive stardom after a superb 3-year-old season.

A horse that always runs with his heart on the outside, Treasure Island gives everything—regardless of surface, distance or rivals. Trained by Nicolás Martín Ferro, he returns to defend his crown in top order, coming off comfortable wins over Endor Rye (Endorsement) in both the Handicap Dorian Gray and the G3 Vicente L. Casares, both at Palermo.

Cuan Chef, on the other hand, has yet to be the same horse since that Derby triumph. He finished sixth behind El Kodigo (Equal Stripes) in the G1 José Pedro Ramírez at Maroñas, then failed to fire in the G1 Gran Premio de Honor, won by Crazy Talent (Equal Talent). Trainer Alfredo Gaitán Dassié devoted more than six months to bringing the chestnut back to peak form.

Omar Labanca arrives from his Palermo base with Sono Perfetto, winner of the G2 Provincia de Buenos Aires, the final leg of La Plata’s Triple Crown. The colt now takes on older horses for the first time.

All three tend to race either on or very close to the lead, adding enormous interest to how the pace scenario unfolds—and opening the door for alternative strategies and fresh hopes.

From the form line of the G3 Organización Sudamericana de Fomento del SPC, the trio of Don Champagne (Long Island Sound), Mannarino (Cosmic Trigger) and Davalos (Hi Happy), who finished 1–2–3 that day separated by only half a length and three-quarters, also emerge as major contenders.

Trainer Carlos D. Etchechoury believes The Gladiator’s Hat (Hat Ninja) is ready to take the step into the big leagues, and Endor Rye is another whose résumé demands respect.

Seek Wave (Seek Again) was the best 3-year-old of 2024 and, despite not being at his sharpest of late, cannot be underestimated. Nor can Cornwall (Remote), a rival as tough as they come.

And then there is Software (Treasure Beach), who will line up in the Rocha for the third straight year, after finishing second in 2023 and fourth in 2024—a charming tidbit in itself.Will the third time be the charm for the Stud Milenium stayer?