Victorian return for Rock N Roll Doo at Bendigo

It’s been over 12 months since Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven), the 2022 Victoria Cup harness racing champion, last raced on a Victorian track, but that’s set to change this Saturday night.

The multiple Group 1-winning pacer, prepared by Michael Stanley, is set to compete in Saturday’s $75,000 Group 2 Garrards Horse and Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup following a three-race campaign in New Zealand.

The winner of over half-a-million-dollars under the watchful eye of Cran and Chrissie Dalgety finished eighth in his first two starts at Addington, before a back-of-the-field finish in the Group 2 event at Ashburton on October 28.

The gelding out of Rock N Roll Heaven has made his way back to Stanley’s Burrumbeet stable in good order.

“He has been well and his work has been really good,” Stanley said. “He has had a few runs that have been below par and you can’t really hide when you come back to race again.

“He hasn’t raced for a few months now since New Zealand, but what he has shown at home – he is ready to go back to the races.”

The 44-year-old isn’t looking for anything special from the seven-year-old on Saturday night.

“If he shows that he has improved on his last few runs and that he is working back to somewhere near what we think is his best. That will be a real positive for us,” he said.

The February 1, Sportsbet A G Hunter Cup is the main target on the radar.

“That (Hunter Cup) is our main target, but he needs to show us that he is back to his old self. That is not winning that is just showing his sharpness and that he is going to be competitive,” Stanley said.

“We are looking forward to him showing us that we are going to be competitive on Saturday night and giving us hope that we can give it a good tilt for the Hunter Cup.”

Can not wait to get Rock N Roll Doo back to the track in a few weeks @TheTrotsComAu
Thanks to the guys @Bdtc150 for having the track in brilliant condition as always pic.twitter.com/Th9rg2D2s0

— Michael Stanley (@mickstanley80) December 24, 2024

The nine-time Group 1 winning trainer does see a bit of retrospective form in his star pacer that could see him reach the sports pinnacle.

“I think he is (at his best). It is hard with these older horses that you need to go to the races for them to show you,” Stanley said.

“He is back into his routine and he looks well and he is eating well. I am confident in him, but I am nervous until I see it on Saturday night.”

Stanley has drawn 13 for the $75,000 event with early favourite and first starter for the Anthony Butt stable, Tact Mcleod drawing five for the 2650m trip.

he trotting highlight of the night is the Group 1 Aldebaran Park Maori Mile, where squaregaiting powerhouse Queen Elida is expected to start as the favorite. She impressed with victories in two heats of the Inter Dominion in December before finishing fifth in the final.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria