Rocknroll Hammer (NZ) Bags Derby Ahead of Group 1 Tilt
26 June 2023
Rocknroll Hammer (NZ) (A Rocknroll Dance) added to his family’s incredible black-type record with his late-closing victory in the Group Three, A$52,000 Redcliffe Derby (2280m) on Saturday night.
The royally bred NZB Standardbred graduate charged at the leader to secure victory in the key lead up to the Group One Queensland Derby (2680m) for trainer Belinda McCarthy and driver Luke McCarthy.
Rocknroll Hammer is raced by Domenic Martello after Josh Dickie secured the horse for him at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Karaka for $90,000 when he was offered by Breckon Farms.
Rocknroll Hammer is from the outstanding race mare Twist And Twirl (NZ) (Artsplace) who won three times at Group One level.
The three-year-old was sought after in the sales ring given his dam had already left three time Australasian Grand Circuit champion and 19-time Group One winner King Of Swing (NZ) (Rocknroll Hanover).
Rocknroll Hammer led early in Saturday night’s feature before taking a trail behind runner-up and fellow New Zealand bred Aardie’s Flash (NZ) (Always B Miki).
Luke McCarthy had to be patient and wait for the chance to find his charge clear air on the home turn, but once he did Rocknroll Hammer surged home to produce an outstanding victory.
The pacer showed promise during a three-start career in New Zealand for the Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson stable before heading to Australia.
Since joining the McCarthy stable, Rocknroll Hammer has won six races including Saturday night’s Group Three feature.
New Zealand-breds were in outstanding form at the Redcliffe meeting on Saturday night, signalling what a potent force they will be during Queensland’s Constellations Winter Carnival.
NZB Standardbred graduate Aroda (NZ) (Art Major) took out the Redcliffe Derby Consolation (2280m), while his stablemate Miracle Moose (NZ) (Mach Three) won the Redcliffe Gold Cup Consolation (2613m).
New Zealand-breds Loyalist (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Betterzippit (NZ) (Betterthancheddar) filled the quinella in the $106,000 Redcliffe Gold Cup (2613m).