New Zealand bred pacer soars to superstar status

Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven) announced himself as Australia’s next harness racing superstar pacer when he used a sublime mix of speed and staying power to win the A$300,000 Group One Victoria Cup (2240m) at Melton on Saturday night.

The NZB Standardbred graduate toughed it out outside the leader in a star-studded field before speeding away to win the time-honoured Grand Circuit feature.

Rock N Roll Doo was purchased by Brendan and Anne James of BFJ Bloodstock at the 2019 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch. The pair secured him for just $14,000 when he was offered by breeder-vendor John McKenzie of Kelvin Home Holdings.

The New Zealand-bred had put together an outstanding record and was rated in the top echelon of Australian pacers before his Victoria Cup win.

His epic victory has clearly established Rock N Roll Doo as one of Australia’s brightest-pacing stars.

Educated and prepared by Michael Stanley since his purchase at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale, the trainer-driver credited his four-year-old for having every attribute needed to be a star racehorse.

“I think he is (special), we’ve been telling everyone who wants to hear,” Stanley said.

“He’s won his last two races against this high quality with his earplugs in and running through the line.

“We felt we had the most versatile and strongest horse in the race.
“He travelled so strong throughout the race tonight, he’s a switched-on racehorse.”

Rock N Roll Doo took his earnings just shy of A$400,000 with his elite-level victory, over 28 times his original purchase price of $14,000.

For complete race results, click here.

Stanley and Brendan and Anne James now have their eyes on one of New Zealand harness racing’s biggest purses and its most prestigious race – next month’s Group One New Zealand Cup.

“You don’t get horses like this very often,” Stanley said. “We are up for a challenge and he’s earned his right to have a crack, I’m sure he will go there and do us proud.”

Brendan James could barely put into words the thrill and excitement of Rock N Roll Doo’s brilliant win in the Victoria Cup.

“Unexplainable – I never ever thought I’d have one good enough to win it and to win it in that style,” James said.

“To do it tough, to come around and sit outside the best Group One horses in the land and to be able to finish off like that … he’s a beautiful animal.”

Rock N Roll Doo has now been rated a warm $4 second favourite for the New Zealand Cup following his brilliant Victoria Cup win.

From NZB Standardbred