Riff Rocket thriving ahead of the Caulfield Classic

Posted by RS NewsWire at 5:50pm on October 17th

James Mcdonald took Riff Rocket for a spin around Caulfield and in a scary thought for his potential rivals on Saturday said the gelding had trained on since his recent stylish victory.

Riff Rocket runs in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) as a lead up to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 4 for which he is the $3 favourite with bookmakers.

A last start winner by a widening 5-½ lengths at Flemington over 1800m on October 7, Riff Rocket heads the list of 13 nominations for the Caulfield Classic on Saturday.

"He hasn't taken a backward step judging off his work this morning," McDonald said on Tuesday.

"He had a nice workout, nothing too stressful. He stretched and extended lovely.

"He had a good look around and did get a little bit lost out there by himself, but his last two furlongs were spot on.

"He's on track."

Noting that Riff Rocket's last start victory was not against the strongest of opposition, McDonald was still impressed by the way the gelding strode clear of his rivals.

McDonald said Riff Rocket should have no problems running out the 2500m of the Derby.

"He covers the ground so well," McDonald said.

"He has an economical action and has a good turn of foot which over that trip is a huge asset.

"He relaxes so well and if we can keep those fundamentals going towards a Victoria Derby, he will be there when the whips are cracking, that's for sure.

"The races will get stronger from here on in and he'll have to make another step, but he doesn't have to improve much after winning last time."

Riff Rocket has raced only five times, registering three wins and a second.

He scored on debut at Geelong in April and resumed his current campaign with a win at Kembla Grange of 1500m in September.

Trainer Chris Waller moved the three-year-old to his new Mount Macedon stable ahead of the gelding's win at Flemington at his most recent outing.

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th