Rock Drawn To Doo It Again

Rock N Roll Doo. Photo by Stuart McCormick.

MICK Stanley thinks his star pacer Rock N Roll Doo has the barrier draw to successfully defend his Victoria Cup crown at Melton on Saturday night.

Stanley was thrilled when Rock N Roll Doo drew gate four, inside star Queensland pacer Leap To Fame (five) and Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave (six). The trio will move in one spot if emergency Bulletproof Boy doesn't get a run from gate three.

"I'm delighted with the draw," he said. "I think we're in a good position, and I'm very confident we can hold Leap To Fame and Catch A Wave to my outside, which will be crucial."

Rock N Roll Doo was big and raw when he sat outside the leader and thrashed a weaker Victoria Cup field last year.

"He's a better horse now, more complete. He's better gaited, and I'm confident he'll get off the gate (start) better than ever before," Stanley said. "This is the week to test that out, and I have to stay in front of those on my outside."

Stanley also thinks Rock N Roll Doo's four-race preparation is a big factor in his favour.

"It's a terrific race, and you'll need to be at your very best. Some horses are coming in fresh or with light preparations, while I know I've got my guy very fit, race hard fit with those four runs," he said.

Rock N Roll Doo is $4.50 second favourite behind Leap To Fame at $1.90. 

Then it's out to Kilmore Cup winner Better Eclipse (gate one) and Captain Ravishing (10) at $9. Catch A Wave is a $12 shot.

Leap To Fame, who boasts 24 wins from just 32 starts, is well placed from gate five, given he isn't blessed with a lot of early speed.|

The biggest decision sits with Andy and Kate Gath around whether to pull the ripcord and burn Catch A Wave out in search of the lead from gate six.

The four-year-old is the fastest beginner on the front line and led throughout to win the Miracle Mile in March.

Champion trainer Emma Stewart has a remarkable five Cup runners: Honolua Bay (gate two), Amore Vita (seven), Mach Dan (eight), Act Now (11) and TAB Eureka winner Encipher (12).

Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay, who ran second to Rock N Roll Doo, is the most fascinating runner in the race, given he hasn't raced since finishing third in the Miracle Mile back on March 4. He's got plenty of early speed and should land a good spot from gate two.

No mare has won the Victoria Cup, and mighty mares Encipher and Amore Vita will have to overcome bad barriers to change that. Amore Vita is a $71 shot from outside the front row, while Encipher is $17 from a wide back row draw (gate 12).

Buzz NSW pacer Hi Manameisjeff, unbeaten in four runs since joining Jason Grimson's stable, has drawn the back row, which negates one of his major weapons, blistering early speed.

One of the biggest winners from the draw was last year's third placegetter, Better Eclipse, who should get a cosy pegs run up near the speed from the pole.

VICTORIA CUP BARRIER DRAW: Front row: Better Eclipse ($9), Honolua Bay ($15), Bulletproof Boy (emerg, $151), Rock N Roll Doo ($4.50), Leap To Fame ($1.90), Catch A Wave ($12), Amore Vita ($71). Back row: Mach Dan ($31), Hi Manameisjeff ($12), Captain Ravishing ($9), Act Now ($51), Encipher ($17), Spirit Of St Louis ($41).

·      Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.