Riff Rocket a genuine chance to stay 2400m Victoria Derby trip
Chris Waller’s hope that Saturday’s $2 million Victoria Derby is run at a ‘genuine tempo’ underlines the champion trainer’s belief in Riff Rocket’s ability to be strong at the end of 2500 metres.
The raging Derby favourite was beaten at $1.28 in a sit-sprint Caulfield Classic (2000m) at his most recent appearance, which Waller felt did not suit the son of US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
The gelding was a runaway winner of the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at the Derby venue at his previous starts and his work under raceday jockey James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday has Waller confident he can bounce back.
“He certainly likes Flemington and we need him to replicate his run here two starts ago to be a threat in the Derby on Saturday,” Waller said.
“His work was very good. James McDonald was aboard, he said the horse relaxed very well and quickened up nicely in the straight, so I think conserving energy over the 2500 metre distance is the key.
“He’s certainly got a great turn of foot when called upon and I’m sure he can put last start’s defeat behind us provided we get a genuinely-run race.”
While Riff Rocket possesses strength on the male side of his pedigree, his dam Missile Coda is a daughter of sprinter Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock) whose five wins were all between 1000m and 1300m.
Missile Coda is out of the Lonhro mare Rain Melody, whose four wins were in races up to 1200m, and is a three-quarter-sister to I Believe, the dam of the dam of multiple Group 2-winning sprinter and T J Smith Stakes runner-up Rain Affair (Commands).
Missile Coda’s only other to race is Quintillion, a son of Deep Field who is also trained by Waller and is yet to win in five starts but owns two third placings in 1550m Canterbury maidens.
Riff Rocket is one of 16 acceptors for the Derby and will start from barrier five with his Caulfield Classic conqueror Sunsets (barrier 16), last Saturday’s Moonee Valley Vase quinella Apulia (three) and Verdad (four) among his rivals.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
