Confidence is the gear change Rocknroll Gronk needed

Trainer Vince Dicocco has his fingers crossed that Rocknroll Gronk (A Rocknroll Dance) can break through for just his third career harness racing win on Saturday night in the Alabar Pace at Melton Entertainment Park.

The son out of Artful Lombo has placed in three of his last four starts.

“We haven’t changed much really, he has just found a bit of form,” Dicocco, from Toolern Vale, said.

“His ability is limited, he is doing well at the moment and he has found his class. As long as we place him well, I think he will be okay.”

Concession reinsman Blake Pace has driven the pacer on the last four occasions and will take the controls on Saturday night.

“We have aimed for the junior class races and the junior driver races and that has suited him,” he said. “He has found a bit of form in those races.

“The horse has been going well for Blake, so he deserves to drive him.”

Dicocco, 60, has put the spritely lift in form down to a surge in confidence from the four-year-old, who has drawn gate nine for the weekend’s assignment.

“He is full of confidence at the moment and he is racing well,” he said.

“We are very happy with the draw. Hopefully he gets a nice run through, finds himself in the running line and gets a nice little cart into the race – he should be good.”

The Charlene Gusman-prepared Clives Girl has drawn one for the 1720m event which is set to go at 9.13pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria