New father gets that Group 1 glory

Riverina harness racing reinsman Jackson Painting has had 11 days he will never forget.

From welcoming his daughter Millie into the world on May 9, the 35-year-old backed up over a week later and drove his first Group 1 winner.

That was with Rocknroll Runa in Friday afternoon’s $100,000 TAB Regional Championships Riverina Final at Riverina Paceway.

“It’s an unreal feeling . . . that’s what we are in the game for and to do it in front of family and friends makes it even better.”

Rocknroll Runa was the favourite for the feature and the son of Rock N Roll Heaven won the way a public elect should.

Painting steered the four-year-old to the lead where they ran their rivals ragged, rolling through the quarters in 29.5, 28.9, 26.3 and 28.4 seconds.

The mile rate for the 2270m feature was 1:54.2.

“He’s an untapped horse with untapped ability,” said Painting.

“His biggest asset is his point-to-point speed and Menangle will suit him down to the ground.”

ROCKNROLL RUNA REPLAY

Rocknroll Runa will now head to Menangle next Saturday night for the $100,000 State Championships Final.

Rocknroll Runa, a winner of 11 of his 19 starts, was one of three horses trainer David Kennedy had in the race.

Kennedy qualified four horses for the lucrative final, however, heat winner Babyitscold was scratched the morning of the race.

That was Kennedy’s third Group 1 win as a trainer.

The 55-year-old mentor’s last Group 1 winner was Shes A Runa in the 2014 NSW Oaks, the dam of Rocknroll Runa.

For full Riverina Friday race results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink