Rocket To Glory will face the toughest test of his racing career to date in the 2015 Victory Stakes, but trainer Tony Gollan said that the Shovhog gelding will take up the running in the early stages of the Group 2 event at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Rocket To Glory has the chance to record the biggest win of his racing career to date in the 2015 Victory Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Rocket To Glory was sent to the spelling paddock after he finished a credible ninth behind Big Money in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 6 and he tired late when he returned to racing with a sixth place finish in the Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) at Doomben on February 28, but he has since recorded two tough victories.
The six-year-old set a very quick early tempo in the Carbine Club Gold Coast Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on March 14, but he was still able to hold on to record a fighting victory from Architect and he never looked like being beaten when he upset the likes of Cape Kidnappers, Whiskey Allround and Excellantes in the Listed Chief De Beers Quality (1110m) at Doomben on April 11.
Gollan told RSN that Rocket To Glory is taking career best form into the Victory Stakes and he said that the speedy sprinter will give his rivals something to chase in the early stages of the Group 2 event.
“He is just going as good as he has ever gone,” Gollan said.
“He is fit and healthy and he will lead I would suggest.
“Ball of Muscle also has some speed as well, but he is out there to run fast this bloke, he will go to the front and I guess he is the horse that they will have to get past.
“He is certainly going up in grade for weight-for-age racing, but carrying 58 and a half in handicaps is nothing new to him.
“He is drawn to run well, he gets around the Gold Coast circuit well and he is a tough on-speeder.”
Gollan is chasing his second straight win in the Victory Stakes following his triumph with veteran sprinter Temple Of Boom in the 2014 edition of the race.
Rocket To Glory is currently available at 2015 Victory Stakes odds of $15 with Ladbrokes, while talented mare Srikandi ($4.50) remains a narrow favourite from Joe Pride-trained Ball Of Muscle ($5), Godolphin sprinter Knoydart ($5), stablemate Temple Of Boom ($6) and Stradbroke Handicap winner River Lad ($9).
