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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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
