Rock N Roll Doo out to join the greats with successful title defence

Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven) will be out to cement his harness racing greatness by going back-to-back in Saturday night’s Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup.

Trainer-driver Michael Stanley’s gelding has drawn gate three for his shot at defending the crown he won in emphatic style last October.

The son of Rock N Roll Heaven has enjoyed an ideal preparation leading into the $300,000 showdown, with wins in the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle and the Maryborough Gold Cup followed by a last-start fifth in the Kilmore Pacing Cup when he flashed home from the back of the field on September 29.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how his preparation has gone,” said Stanley, from Burrumbeet. “The Victoria Cup, it’s a really hard middle-distance race to win and I think you need a really great preparation to be able to do it.

“We know with our fellow that things have been smooth sailing this time in, and we have him right where we want him.”

Stanley is confident he can keep up with the likes of Catch A Wave (five) and favourite Leap To Fame (four) out of the gates in a strong front row.

“I think we are in a good position to hold a spot inside those outside runners,” he said.

Past back-to-back winners of the race include Koala King (1978-79-80), Popular Alm (1982-83), Bag Limit (87-88) and Desperate Comment (96-97).

The Victoria Cup headlines a big night of racing from Melton, with the Grand Circuit feature to be run at 9.08pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria