CAUL FEB 20 - LA ROCKET IN ST GEORGE BOILOVER
By Scott Gooley | Monday, February 22, 2010
Caulfield, February 20, 2010.
Track - Dead 4. Rail - True.
St George Stakes (Group 2 - Open WFA) - 1800m. Time: 1-49.04 (Carrying 59kgs).
1 La Rocket; 2 Heart Of Dreams; 3 Miss Maren.
La Rocket has shown great determination in recording his first Group victory by claiming the Group 2 Pure Blonde St. George Stakes at Caulfield.
The five year old son of Rock of Gibraltar who won the listed Seymour Cup last Spring, was lining up for his third start this preparation after two encouraging third placings behind Black Caviar and Miss Maren respectively.
Starting from the centre of the field and ridden by Stephen Baster, La Rocket trailed Pacino across to the fence after the jump and, after travelling 400m, had settled second a length behind Pacino and two lengths in advance of third placed Heart Of Dreams ($2.45), the race favourite.
Racing past the 800m mark, Pacino continued to set the pace and had extended his lead to three lengths over La Rocket who was travelling comfortably.
As the field swung for the run home, La Rocket had closed the gap on Pacino to three quarters of a length. It was a similar margin to Heart Of Dreams who was looming ominously three wide.
With 250m to run, La Rocket had managed to maintain his advantage over Heart Of Dreams as the pair ran past Pacino.
Inside the final furlong, Craig Newitt (Heart Of Dreams) was throwing everything at his mount but La Rocket, under similar vigorous riding from Baster, refused to yield and as they crossed the line, La Rocket ($21) held Heart Of Dreams by a half a neck.
Miss Maren ($5.50) ridden by Damien Oliver, ran third a further one and half lengths away.
Trainer of La Rocket, Dale Sutton confessed post race that it was case of a simple plan coming together.
“He’s a good natural on pace runner and Steve (Baster) said he was going to sit second to Pacino today and it just panned out the way we thought.
Baster elaborated on the pre-race plan.
“Ross’s (McDonald, trainer of Pacino) horses tend to lead here and do well so he gave us a nice cart up and my horse relaxed nicely, so it worked out perfect.”
“The leader went pretty quick, he actually got four in front of me at one stage there. I was a bit worried I’d let him get too far away but I did get to him pretty easily though.” Baster continued.
“He’s solid. He keeps trying his heart out.”
“He makes his own luck on the speed. He doesn’t jump out of the ground but if they come out him, he keeps fighting.” Baster concluded.
La Rocket, who was purchased in 2006 for $300,000.00,has now recorded six wins from his twenty-eight starts, amassing over $430,000.00 prizemoney in the process.
He will look to add to this figure when he next steps out in the Australian Cup at Flemington on the March 6.
PRICES:
La Rocket (21.00), Heart OF Dreams (2.45 favourite), Miss Maren (5.50)
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer Mr M Price notified Stewards that Miss Maren (NZ) would be ridden forward today and an announcement was made.
Viewed, Moatize and Changingoftheguard (IRE) were slow to begin. Sirmione jumped awkwardly, shifted in and bumped Miss Maren (NZ). Moatize raced wide without cover throughout.
Passing the 600m Moatize, which was endeavouring to force Shocking back in behind Changingoftheguard (IRE), made heavy contact with Shocking before being straightened.
B Prebble (Changingoftheguard) explained that his mount travelled well throughout the race but was unable to sprint when the pace quickened and recommended to the connections that the horse would be better suited when stepped up in distance.
When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on Pacino today B Rawiller explained that he was instructed to have his mount fourth or fifth with some cover in the early stages however given the way the race panned out, particularly in the early stages, he was unable to carry out those instructions without being detrimental to the horse’s chances.
B Rawiller added that his mount jumped away cleanly for the first time in some starts and he was aware that he had a number of runners to his inside that were all backmarkers. He added that he was hopeful that La Rocket would take up the lead in the early stages to give him some cover however this did not eventuate and felt to unnecessarily restrain his mount was not the right option.
After reviewing the video footage with B Rawiller and noting that the first 1000m was run in 1:02.20, Stewards accepted B Rawiller’s explanation.
A post race veterinary examination of Sirmione revealed no abnormalities.
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