Rocky King and Adebisi to clash again in George Moore Stakes

Sunshine Coast sprinter Rocky King and proven speedster Adebisi are set to clash again in the Group 3 $200,000 Channel Seven George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Adebisi, above, is set to clash with Rocky King again in the George Moore Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Adebisi, above, is set to clash with Rocky King again in the George Moore Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Rocky King and Adebisi ran the quinella in the $50,000 XXXX Open Handicap (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on November 14 and both are among the thirteen nominations for Saturday Group 3 sprint.

Eagle Farm trainer Desleigh Forster is looking forward to the rematch after Adebisi had to carry 61.5kgs when beaten less than a length at his first run since winning over 1110m at Doomben on September 6.

“Rocky King ran a course record and beat us just under a length,” Forster told AAP.

“Adebisi carried 61.5 kilograms in that race and he never gave up the length of the straight.”

“The horse is flying and I can hardly wait for Saturday’s race.”

Adebisi has won twelve from fifty-one starts including a win in the 2011 George Moore Stakes as well as a win in the 2013 Group 3 $150,000 Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

Sunshine Coast trainer Tom Bourke has no worries about Rocky King stepping up to 1200m following his win over Adebisi over 1000m at Caloundra after having won at 1300m at Eagle Farm back in July.

“He has never won at 1200 metres but he has won at 1300. One of his best runs was at 1200 when he was very unlucky in the Ramornie Handicap,” Bourke said.

Rocky King was beaten less than a length when second to Big Money in the Listed $150,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on July 9.

The Scone trained Big Money is also nominated for the George Moore Stakes and is returning from a short Melbourne Spring Carnival campaign.

The five year old finished just behind the placegetters when fourth to dead heaters Miracles Of Life and Bel Sprinter in the Group 2 $200,000 Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint (1100m) at Caulfield on October 18 followed by a well beaten ninth to Deep Field in the Group 2 $300,000 tab.com.au Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1.

The Brisbane Racing Club has extended nominations for the George Moore Stakes until 9am on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 after only thirteen entrants were received today and they included Cape Kidnappers, Excellenates, Rocket To Glory, Time To Plunder, Architect, Finishing Card, Flying Riddle, Into The Red, Riva De Lago and Someday.

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.