Hill having a Rockingood time

Swannanoa trainer Bennie Hill has some nice stock around him and last night at Addington Rockingood (A Rocknroll Dance) added to the early season feats of Renegade (Captaintreacherous) and Arthur Shelby (Bettor’s Delight).

Last night driver Ricky May eased the Brendon Hill trained Rockingood off the gate and took the lead going into the first bend.

“He’s got so much gate speed and naturally likes to roll forward himself. Seth (son Seth Hill) wanted to drive him for one run at his last start but couldn’t because the favourite galloped, so he had to roll to the front,” Hill said.

The four year old led for the rest of the trip, going down to the line to win by a length and a quarter from Ohoka Cobra which trailed Rockingood all the way.

The race was run at a pretty sedate pace but May clicked Rockingood up to run his last 800 in 56.5.

ROCKINGOOD REPLAY

“I haven’t trained many Rocknroll Dances. They seem to get better when they get stronger and I got told that. He’s a big raw boned horse that looked like he needed time. We haven’t really rushed him and we’re getting some rewards back now.”

Rockingood is part owned by Hill and his good friend Noel Bowden.

“We’ve owned a lot of horse over thirty years. The best one we had was Dalton Bromac (11 wins from 19 starts), Bromac Maravu (6) and Marianna Bromac. He loved the Bromacs.”

The next target for Rockingood is the $25,000 North of the Waitaki Winter Rewards Mobile Pace at Addington.

“That’s a lot of money for a horse like him. He’s no superstar but in saying that he’s racing on a Friday night not Sunday. To run a 56 half last night was pretty good.”

Meanwhile two of Hill’s better horses, Arthur Shelby and Renegade, are back on the active list.

Arthur Shelby in his first season won four of his five starts while Renegade also progressed through the grades and is now the winner of seven from twenty one starts.

“They’re doing pacework at the moment. You look at Cup Week and work your way back and then there’s the Christian Cullen after Cup Week. We’ll put Arthur Shelby in grade races and maybe standing starts. If he keeps racing well he’s going to be a lot of fun. Renegade did okay out, but he’s picking up now. His soundness is the best it’s ever been. We’ve had problems with his feet but we’re on top of that. When he’s right he deserves to be in the New Zealand (Cup) in my opinion.”

Hill’s son Seth who is Arthur Shelby’s regular pilot is currently in Brisbane working for Chantel Turpin and Pete McMullen, after winning the Revel Douglas award.

“He’s been over there for about fifteen days and gets home on Monday. He timed it to be over there for the Inter Dominions. All the junior driver and some of his friends are over there so he’s loving it. He’s got a drive tonight (Checknoutthetalent) in a Group Three race. It’s the outsider but they’ve given him a drive which is pretty cool.”

Hill has driven twenty one winners this season.

“He’s driving with a lot of confidence. He’s won a lot of races for Tom (Bagrie) in the last year. He’s also won a fair few races with Betterwithbling for Jesse Wederell and he’s lucky to get on Arthur Shelby.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink