Stunning win for Rock N Roll Doo in Len Smith Mile

Star pacer Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven) served notice he is on target for back to back Victoria Cups with a stunning harness racing win in tonight’s (Sep. 2) Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle. 

Driver Michael Stanley pushed forward from a wide gate to work up outside the leader and $3.70 favorite Spirit Of St Louis, and despite sitting parked,  it was Rock N Roll Doo who possessed sufficient stamina to stave off all challenges. 

On the line Rock N Roll Doo ($4) held a half head margin over Spirit Of St Louis with Nerano two metres away third in a time of 1:51.1. 

Stanley admitted he was concerned when the son of Rock N Roll Heaven produced three unplaced efforts at the start of the year after returning home from a New Zealand Cup campaign. 

 “It was hard as I was laid up in bed and couldn’t physically get out to see him and when you know the horse best it was tough,” Stanley said.  

Stanley said he was buoyed by the way Rock N Roll Doo returned from a much needed spell several months ago. 

“I always had faith that from the first day he came back out of the paddock just the way he looked and I was confident that we’d get him back here,  particularly after the went super first up at Melton a couple of weeks ago,” he said. 

“I’m just so happy to get him back to where I know he can be.” 

Stanley believes the horse’s versatility is one of his greatest attributes.  

“At Melton he showed how fast he actually is so it doesn’t matter if he is back in the field or facing the breeze, he will let down really well,” he said. 

ROCK N ROLL DOO REPLAY

And the prospects of back to back Victoria Cups? 

“That’s the plan,” he said. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink