10-hour round trip for Group 1 glory

Just having a starter in a Group 1 final is a feat in itself – for any harness racing trainer.

And Greg Coney admits he’ll be a little sentimental when Rocklea Image (Shoobees Place) takes to the track on Saturday (Nov. 12) for the $100,000 Blue Series Final for three-year-old colts and geldings at Menangle.

Mainly because Rocklea Image will be driven by Coney’s daughter Jemma, who has been making waves herself in the Hunter region in recent months with some supreme efforts in the sulky.

The Coneys face a 10-hour round trip from Tamworth to Club Menangle but that won’t cause a ripple if they can take some of the big prizemoney on offer.

Gemma has only the one drive on the nine-race card although Rocklea Image has earned his spot.

Roclea Image ran a solid fourth in a heat at Tamworth in September to seal a berth in the $100,000 final.

The gelding’s three subsequent starts have netted a win and two fourths, including a strong fourth against older company last week after racing in the ‘death seat’.

Roclea Image has been nothing if consistent this campaign, with four wins and six fourths from his last 10 starts.

“The night is going to be sentimental in itself,” said Coney senior.

“Having a runner in a Group One being driven by my daughter is pretty special.

“It will be special for both of us and if we happen to win, well, that would be something else.

“He had a tough run the other day against older horses, but it was the kind of run to really sharpen him up and he has come through it well.

“I’m not overly confident, but if he gets into the right spot, you never know.

“I took him down there a couple of starts ago to give him a look at the track and I was happy with his run.”

Meanwhile Sydney’s form reinsman Josh Gallagher might have his work cut out emulating one of the best weeks of his short career.

The young reinsman has landed winning doubles at his past four meetings – three of them this week at Newcastle, Menangle and Penrith.

He has just four drives on the program and only King Tiger in Race 5 is considered a serious chance.

A last-start Menangle winner in 1:55.5, King Tiger will need some luck after drawing the outside of the front line in the three-year-old colts final, behind the smart Mahomes ($2.25).

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW