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A genuine harness racing rock star may be born tonight when a Victorian hope will join the big time.
Yankee Rockstar returns to Tabcorp Park Melton fresh off a victory on Good Form Victoria Cup day, but on this occasion Emma Stewart’s six-year-old will advance from race one to the showcase – the $500,000 Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup.
A multiple-time Group 3 winner and Group 2 placegetter, Yankee Rockstar returns to Group 1 racing for the first time since running seventh at Menangle in the Chariots Of Fire last March.
Co-owner and Sky Sports Radio presenter Andrew Bensley said connections had long thought their pacer was bound for the big stage, but were aware of the magnitude of the step up.
“We are certainly open-eyed that this is his first real go at the top level,” Bensley said.
“He has been a pretty good horse, but we are very aware this is the ultimate test. He might still be six months away from being at his absolute peak, given this is his first time meeting all of the stars.”
Yankee Rockstar will enter in winning form after upstaging heavily backed New Zealand raider, Itz Bettor To Win, in the first race at Melton last Saturday.
“Saturday was thrilling,” Bensley said. “He went back from his draw and had one fantastic run from the 600m mark to beat Mark Purdon’s horse (Itz Bettor To Win), which had a fairly big splash.
“The owners went off. It was one of the best races for where he was in the race.”
With a 26.2 last 400m and a 1:52.2 mile rate, Yankee Rockstar brought more joy for its owners, who are rapt to just be in the running for tonight’s historic Hunter Cup, the last to be run as a standing start.
“We are going in with an open mind. We are excited to make the field,” Bensley said.
“He has always missed a couple of the major races due to little things with the horse.
“I trust the judgment of Gavin Lang and Emma Stewart, who have always had a very good opinion of the horse.
“The horse has been magnificent to all of us. The connections are confident it will be able to compete with the very best. Whether (tonight) is too soon or not we will see.”
Michael Howard
