He’s Our Rokkii too strong for favourite in Frank Packer Plate

The in-form He’s Our Rokkii proved too strong for the favourite Old North with a convincing win in the Group 3 $150,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick today.

He's Our Rokkii wins the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate at Royal Randwick

He’s Our Rokkii wins the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate at Royal Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart

The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained He’s Our Rokkii made it back to back Randwick wins after taking out the Group 3 $200,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on day one of ‘The Championships’ on April 2.

Winning jockey Dwayne Dunn settled He’s Our Rokkii ($6) behind the $2.05 favourite and proved too strong in the run to the line to score by one and a quarter lengths over Old North with Torgersen ($8) running on from back in the field for third.

Co-trainer Tom Dabernig said that stable had been looking to the Spring but that could change now after today’s win.

Dabernig will now look at a possible Adelaide or Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign for the three year old gelding.

“He is s horse that just keeps improving and he is only lightly raced and I thought he was very solid today,” Dabernig said.

“He followed the favourite and ran out a really solid 2000m and hopefully that will open up some doors for him.”

“It is always hard to stop a horse when he has won his last two and we are still undecided where we will go with him.”

“But before today we were thinking of backing off and having him for the Spring but it is probably tempting to maybe head north or look at Adelaide.”

James McDonald gave Old North the run of the race in the Frank Packer Plate, one out and one back, and seemed to hit the front easily at the top of the rise but He’s Our Rokkii was too strong at the end of the 2000m.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.