Rakero Rocket launches onto Australian scene

Rakero Rocket (NZ)(Rock N Roll Heaven) has gone from strength-to-strength since arriving in Australia last month, and he continued his upward trajectory when winning the Listed Club Menangle PJ Hall FFA (1609m) at Menangle on Saturday.

Previously in the care of Canterbury harness racing trainer Tom Bamford, Rakero Rocket won nine of his 29 starts in New Zealand, including the Group One The Christian Cullen (2600m) and Group Three Methven Cup (3000m).

Following his unplaced run in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) at Addington Raceway in November, the decision was made to test his talent in Australia, and he joined Jason Grimson’s Menangle barn.

In his Australian debut he finished runner-up behind Don Hugo (Art Major) over a mile at Menangle before going one better at the New South Wales track earlier this month when winning by 11.8m over the same distance in a time of 1:47.3.

Off the back of that performance, he was backed into $1.07 favouritism in his first Australian stakes assignment last Saturday, and he won accordingly.

From his pole position, Rakero Rocket was launched off the gate by driver Cameron Hart, who took a stranglehold of the race from the outset, dictating terms throughout. At the 400m mark Hart asked Rakero Rocket to improve and he opened up an increasing margin on his rivals, running out a comfortable 4.3m victor in a mile rate of 1:49.5.

“He has just got that great turn of foot and he showed it tonight,” Hart said. “It was nice to run a good back half tonight. He put up a big mile and probably ran his first half a little quicker than his last the other day. To drop a couple of 26s at the end of that mile was really pleasing.

“He definitely wasn’t asked for all of his effort, which was super pleasing to be able to run those quarters and still have the plugs in. I was really pleased with his run and hopefully coming up to the Miracle Mile (Gr.1, 1609m) he stays in this kind of form.”

Rakero Rocket is out of four-win In The Pocket mare Motu Pocket O’Jewels, a sister to Group Three winner Motu Treasure and half-sister to Group One performer Motu Crusader and Motu Meteor. She has proven to be a great producer, being the dam of Rakero Rocket and Group One performers Caitlyn Clarke and Motu Premier.

Bred by Opawa Downs Limited, Rakero Rocket was offered through Belmont Park’s 2021 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale at Christchurch where he was purchased by Rakero Racing Stables for $16,000.

He has gone on to win 11 and place in 7 of his 32 starts to date and has earned nearly A$350,000 in prizemoney.

From NZB Standardbred