Victorian mare dominant in The Great Square

“She’s the best horse I’ve ever had!”

That was the emotional declaration of Victorian trainer-driver David Miles after his four-year-old trotting mare Rockinwithattitude (Aldebaran Eagle) took out the first harness racing Group one of the Queensland Constellations Carnival at Albion Park tonight (July 13).

That’s no small rap from a horseman of Miles’ calibre, but Rockinwithattitude’s victory in Haras de Trotteurs the $150,000 The Great Square means the mare now accounts for five of the nine Group One races on Miles’ resume.

Rockinwithattitude took all before her in her three-year-old season, capturing both the Breeders Crown, NSW Oaks and Derby and Queensland Oaks and Derby, before finishing fourth in The Great Square in Queensland last year.

But she was bigger, stronger and gutsier this year, and Miles was thrilled with Rockinwithattitude’s performance.

ROCKNWITHATTITUDE REPLAY

The mare came out of the gate strongly, but had to work to the lead around Lucky Mum (Brendan Barnes), with race favorite London To A Brick (James Rattray) sitting outside her.

“She is the best horse I have ever had. To be as brave as she was, when that horse (London To A Brick) was there to beat her, she knuckled down and had a red hot crack,” Miles said.

“London To A Brick was always the horse to beat and to keep him to my outside was always the plan. She is super quick off the gate and she is super safe, but these trotters are just getting better and keeping with her now.

“I knew (at the top of the straight) I had a little bit left, it wasn’t a lot, but I knew Jimmy (Rattray) was under pressure and it was going to be a war of attrition.  That’s why I’m so proud of her, she just dug in.”

Rockinwithattitude is raced by a large syndicate of owners, many of whom were on hand to share the moment.

“It’s just great to have a great bunch of owners. They’re all little players but with a syndicate you just have so much fun. I’m tipping the restaurant at Redcliffe will be doing some sales tomorrow!” Miles said.

“We’ve settled in well up here – it’s good to get away from Melbourne’s cold weather,” he laughed.

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink