Rock N Roll Doo, inner, staves off the late challenge of Old Town Road at Addington today. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.
Aussie visitor Rock N Roll Doo lays down the gauntlet with sizzling cup trial at Addington
By Barry Lichter • 2 November 2022
Australian visitor Rock N Roll Doo served notice that not even a second row draw might stop him in Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup with a staggering trial win at Addington this evening.
Rock N Roll Doo, who was slow away when beaten at Ashburton nine days ago, stepped safely from the 2600 metre stand start to lead the three-horse heat.
When Krug muffed the start it became a lead-trail affair with Old Town Road sitting behind the Aussie.
But Victorian trainer-driver Michael Stanley wasn’t there to muck around and he had his foot on the pedal throughout, running his last 800 metres in 54 and 400 in 27.1.
Mick Stanley brings back Rock N Roll Doo after his sterling trial. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.Clocked over his last mile in a sizzling 1:53.5, he ran 3:11.8 for the 2600 metre trip to hold out Old Town Road and Zachary Butcher by half a head.
Veteran clockers could not remember the last time a horse went so fast in the traditional cup trial, the overall time only 2.9 seconds outside Classie Brigade’s New Zealand race record for entires and geldings.
Krug, driven by junior Carter Dalgety, finished four and three-quarter lengths astern of the leading pair.
Rock N Roll Doo, who beat Copy That into fourth in last month’s Victoria Cup after sitting parked, opened at $6 after he drew 13 earlier today.
With all three emergencies on the second row, it means if there are no scratchings he will start from two on the second row, following out fellow Australian Majestic Cruiser.
* Muscle Mountain won the 2600m trotters’ heat, coming from a 40 metre handicap to win by two and a quarter lengths from Charlie P and Royal Del.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
