Rock N Roll Doo (NZ) Thrives Under Group One Pressure
14 September 2022
Rock N Roll Doo (NZ) (Rock N Roll Heaven) relished the pressure of top-level racing when storming to victory in the Group One VHRC Caduceus Classic (1720m) at Melton on Saturday night.
The four-year-old showed he was right on track for his Victorian and New Zealand Cup tilts when beating a star-studded field to secure his first win at Group One level for trainer-driver Michael Stanley.
Rock N Roll Doo was purchased by Brendan and Anne James of BFJ Bloodstock at the 2019 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch for $14,000. The pacer was bred and offered by John McKenzie’s Kelvin Home Holdings.
Early fireworks set up a hot race tempo in the VHRC Caduceus Classic and that let Rock N Roll Doo’s outstanding staying qualities shine through.
“I always knew when he got into a race like this – that is just a genuine tempo the whole way – he’s fast enough to follow that strong tempo and still finish off,” Michael Stanley said.
“In saying that I was three-wide without cover from the 700-metre mark, it’s not as if I came off a cold sit at the top of the straight either.
“He’s very strong, but he does have a good turn of foot.”
Before a tilt at two of Australasia’s most revered Cup races, Rock N Roll Doo will tackle the Group Two Kilmore Cup.
After going onto the Group One Victoria Cup, a trip back to his homeland for the Group One New Zealand Cup is being considered for the New Zealand-bred.
“We nominated him for the New Zealand Cup because we just think with his gait that might really suit him,” Stanley said.
“Being able to start from the stand and be able to take his time to get into his gear instead of the fast pace of a mobile.”
“We’ve got the Kilmore Cup in two weeks’ time into a Victoria Cup, but we might sneak a standing start trial in between at Geelong next Monday.”
Stanley said he feels Rock N Roll Doo is physically ready for the rigours of Grand Circuit racing at the relatively young age of four.
“It still says four beside his name but physically he’s ready to be here.”
Rock N Roll Doo stopped the clock in a scintillating 1:50:6 mile rate when clearing out to win the VHRC Caduceus Classic by five metres.
| Consignor | Kelvin Home Holdings |
| Purchaser | BFJ Bloodstock |
| Breeding | Rock N Roll Heaven x Long Live Lana |
| Sale | 2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $14,000 |
| Bred by | J D McKenzie |