Six-year-old stayer Rock On has arrived in Victoria and has joined the stable of Peter Gelagotis at his Moe base. 

 

The last start winner of the Te Aroha Cup (2200m) has been sent over by his New Zealand trainer Gary Vile, who also shares in the ownership. 

 

“I just thought Melbourne would suit him quite well and there are two or three races there for him,” Vile said.

 

“I will just leave it up to Peter and let him get a feel for the horse over the next couple of days.

 

“He is ready to go. He has come through his win at Te Aroha very well and I am pretty happy with him, so I thought you might as well have a go.”

 

Vile said Rock On, the winner of seven races, was on a mission to bank some more prizemoney whilst also being able to race on superior racetracks over the coming months. 

 

“Our weather cracks up a little bit quicker than what it does over there and when you can race for A$130,000 on a Saturday, it’s a lot of money to us,” Vile said.

 

Meanwhile, stablemate Jacksstar has enjoyed a brief freshen up following his third placing in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) behind Felaar and Igraine.

 

The injury-plagued stayer had previously won the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) in fine style. 

 

“He’s come through the Hawke’s Bay Cup run great and he has spent a little bit of time in the paddock,” Vile said. 

 

“I have spoken to the owners and we will bring him back on Monday and we will probably have a go at the Rotorua Cup (Gr.3, 2200m) with him.”

 

Vile said he had opted to stick locally with Jacksstar rather than trying him across the Tasman largely due to his temperament and history of injury.

 

Just over two years ago, Jacksstar suffered a tendon injury when finishing third in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) ant the now seven-year-old has shown he still has the ability to compete at Group level.  

 

“He’s such a difficult horse to work,” Vile said. 

 

“I would love to have taken him to Brisbane but trying to find somewhere for him to work is a challenge. He can’t work with too many other horses. He is a difficult horse.

 

“He has been like that since the outset. 

 

“Jacksstar would be the best stayer that I have ever trained. Had he not broken down, he would have been a star.” – NZ Racing Desk