News

La Rocket Fires On Firm Surface

23rd Aug 2009

Virtual Formguide - Saturday, 22 August 2009

La Rocket was finally rewarded for its consistency, winning the $70,000 SAJ Cater Care Group Handicap (1519m) at Moonee Valley this afternoon.

Jumping straight to the front with Stephen Baster in the saddle, La Rocket was full of running and proved to slick for his opposition on the uncharacteristic Good (2) Moonee Valley surface.

La Rocket ($5-$7.50-$7) defeated Bonindi ($3.20-$4.40-$3.70 fav) by 1 ¼ lengths with Cape D'Amore ($13-$14-$12) a further ¾ lengths away in third.

Frigid ($15) held its ground fairly while Pre Eminence ($5-$7) made up some ground from a midfield position to finishing fifth.

After recording his first metropolitan win of the new season, Baster complemented the five-year-old on his efforts.

"He's been gelded this time in and he's been racing a bit more truer," Baster said.

"Against this class he's quite effective but he still does things wrong.

"Dale and the team have done a great job with him," he added.

Blue skies and high winds that swept across Moonee Valley today would have brought a smile to the face of trainer Dale Sutton.

"We've been waiting around for a dry track and we got it today," Sutton said.

When asked what he has planned for La Rocket over the coming weeks, Sutton remarked. "we'll just try and pick up a few races in town for him."

Purchased for $300,000 at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, La Rocket has a bit of work to do to repay that purchase price. His prizemoney currently stands at $175,579.

La Rocket is a half-brother to the stakes placed Macau Causeway who accumulated $206,695 over his career.