Barrier draw main danger to star pacer Rock N Roll Doo

Mick Stanley thinks the barrier draw rather than any harness racing rival is the main danger to his star pacer Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven) in Saturday night’s (Dec 07) Group 2 Bendigo Cup.

And that might sound strange given the reigning Victoria Cup winner snared barrier one.

“For lots of horses it would be perfect, but it’s probably the one draw I didn’t want with him,” Stanley said.

“Of all his qualities, (early) gate speed isn’t one of them, not yet at least.

“I do think he’ll get off the gate well in time and maybe this is the week to find out, but there’s a few quick beginners drawn outside him.

“At the end of the day, it’s a big race, but it’s still a stepping stone for him towards the Hunter Cup.”

Stanley admitted the draw was “frustrating” because Rock N Roll Doo had thrived since his first-up third in the Group 1 Cranbourne Cup on December 17.

“He’s so well. That Cranbourne run has really brought him on,” he said.

“I think he’s at least as well, maybe better than when he won the Victoria Cup (October 10).

“I took him to Maryborough for a trial last Saturday and he felt amazing. He ran his last mile in just over 1min53sec.

“The trick with barrier one is that if we’re crossed, we’re going to rely on luck more than anything if we’re to win.”

Stanley said everything pointed to Rock N Roll Doo’s frustrating NZ Cup tilt in November being a real positive.

“We didn’t get the results we hoped over there, but the trip was always as much about helping make the horse and season him for the big 12 months ahead as anything else,” Stanley said.

“That’s why we put him away and skipped the Inter Dominion. He’d had the trip to NZ and we knew he had a string of big races early this year.

“Everything at home tells me the trip away has been great for him. I don’t think we’ve ever had him better.

“He feels sharp, he feels strong. It’s really exciting.”

Rock N Roll Doo is a $2 favourite despite the potentially tricky draw to turn the tables on Jason Grimson’s Major Meister from the Cranbourne Cup.

Major Meister led throughout to win at Cranbourne, but has the back row (gate 11) at Bendigo. He’s a $3.20 shot.

Much interest will also focus on Grimson’s latest stable addition Sicario, who hasn’t raced since finishing 11th in an Inter Dominion heat on December 3.

“I like him. His best form is really good, but this is a tough race to kick him off in,” Grimson said.

The other Bendigo highlight is the Group 1 Maori Mile for trotters where Inter Dominion runner-up Majestuoso is a $2 favourite from gate two.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia