Melbourne campaign ruled out for Rocky King

Sunshine Coast specialist Rocky King will remain in Queensland and be prepared for the Magic Millions Carnival at the Gold Coast in January.

Rocky King will be set for the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast in January. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Rocky King will be set for the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast in January. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Local trainer Tom B0urke was contemplating a trip to Melbourne during the Spring Carnival but after Rocky King record his sixth win at Caloundra on Saturday in the $65,000 Spire Law Handicap (1000m), a southern campaign was ruled out.

“I didn’t even look at what’s available for him in Melbourne and he won’t go there this year,” B0urke told Racing Queensland News.

B0urke will instead give the rising six year old one more run at Doomben in a fortnight before preparing him for the $1m Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.

“He might even go for a break now but I’d say he’ll have one more run at Doomben in a fortnight,” B0urke said.

“He’s won over $500,000 in prizemoney so that’s pretty good.”

“He loves big tracks like Caloundra and has won six at Eagle Farm but unfortunately it’s out of business.”

Promising apprentice Brooke Stower had no hesitation in taking Rocky King straight to the front and the Easy Rocking gelding was never headed and went on to score a two lengths over Seeking More with Easy Running a further two and three quarter lengths away in third spot.

“He’s back to his best and young Brooke rated him well in front,” B0urke said.

Saturday’s win took Rocky King’s record to fifteen wins from thirty-nine starts, six of those over the Sunshine Coast 1000m sprint course and saw his earnings rise to $507,350.

North Queensland galloper Daph ‘N’ Alf made it back to back wins when he took out the $100,000 Local News SCTC 30th Anniversary Cup (1400m), giving trainer Jared Wehlow his biggest win to date.

Jockey Kelvin Wharton steered Daph ‘N’ Alf to victory over 1300m at Mackay on July 2 and was in the saddle again at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

“I have had a few Brisbane winners in recent years but this is my biggest win in this area,” Wehlow said.

“The horse is starting to get a bit harder to place but I am sure there will be something for him.”

Wehlow did venture down to the South East corner during the Queensland Winter Carnival and Daph ‘N’ Alf ran a mighty race to finish second to Group 1 winner Smokin’ Joey in the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on June 13.

The form lines are now looking very strong with Smokin’ Joey resuming from a short break to win the Group 3 $150,000 Race-Tech Australia Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

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.