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
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
