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.
On his Australian debut he finished second to Don Hugo (Art Major) over a mile at Menangle, before going one step further at the New South Wales circuit earlier this month when he won over the same distance by 11.8 meters in a time of 1:47.3.
As a result of that performance, he was buoyed by $1.07 favoritism in his first Australian stakes allocation last Saturday, and won accordingly.
From his pole position, Rakero Rocket was launched from the starting gate by driver Cameron Hart, who controlled the race from the start and dictated the conditions throughout. In the 400m, Hart asked Rakero Rocket to improve and he opened up an increasing margin over his rivals, with a comfortable victory in the 4.3m in a kilometer pace of 1:49.5.
“He just turned a great corner and he showed that tonight,” Hart said. “It was nice to run a good back half tonight. He ran a big mile and probably ran his first half a little faster than his last the other day. It was really nice to drop a few 26s at the end of that mile.”
“All of his effort was certainly not required, which was great to be able to run those quarters and still be plugged in. I was really happy with his run and hopefully he continues in this form at the Miracle Mile (Gr.1, 1609m).”
Rakero Rocket is out of the four 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 mother of Rakero Rocket and Group One artists Caitlyn Clarke and Motu Premier.
Rakero Rocket, bred by Opawa Downs Limited, was offered through Belmont Park’s 2021 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale in 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, earning almost A$350,000 in prize money.
| Supplier | Belmont Park |
|---|---|
| Copper | Rakero racing stables |
| Owner(s) | Rj daw, de dawe, est rj dwe |
| Breeding | Rock N Roll Heaven – Motu Pocket O’Jewels |
| Sale | 2021 National Standardbred Yearling Sale – Christchurch ($16,000) |
| Breeder(s) | Opawa Downs Limited |
By NZB Standard bred
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