08 January 2018 | Graham Fischer
Talented trotter Rocknroll Baby proved too good for her rivals with a dominant win in the 2018 SA Square Trotters Association Gramel Trotters Cup (2645m) at Globe Derby Park.
The victory gave owners the Cormack family of Terry and his sons Adam and Ben, trainer Greg Norman and driver Jock Dunlop consecutive successes in the SA feature as they scored in 2017 with Al Bundy.
This year, Rocknroll Baby ($2.20 into $1.90 fav), trotted to the front shortly after the start and was never really troubled scoring a four metre win from Bold Law ($27.50) with last year’s winner, Al Bundy ($4.60), 4-1/2 metres away third.
Winning reinsman Jock Dunlop said although Bold Law had made a late charge, the mare still had plenty in reserve.
Trainer Greg Norman, who drove Al Bundy, said the pair would contest this week’s Group 2 $30,000 SA Trotters Cup (2645m).
On Saturday, Al Bundy came off a 70-metre handicap but because the Trotters Cup is for TM0 or better, and he is a TM0, he will start alongside his stablemate off the front.
“They are both going well so why wouldn’t they run?” Norman said.
“Yes, the mare is at a disadvantage meeting the likes of Al Bundy but if she can win it is a nice prize to break your TM0, and he obviously is well suited after giving away big handicaps in T races.”
Dunlop said while Al Bundy would be suited coming off level marks, the mare would still prove a great chance.
“At home when they work together they come off a level start and she can still beat him. They look to both be good chances.”
In the Gramel Cup, Rocknroll Baby trotted away safely from barrier two and Dunlop was keen to lead which saw him tighten Justin Brewin on Hudson Bay ($14.10) which had begun well from barrier one causing the latter to gallop and allowing the mare to go clear.
Dunlop later received a three-week suspension for the incident plus another two from another race so he has a five week holiday upcoming but he is free to drive this Saturday before starting his suspension.
With soft sectionals of 33.1 and 32.0 seconds for the first half of the last 1600m, Rocknroll Baby was always going to be hard to beat.
She accelerated with 28.4 third quarter and cruised home in 30.5 for a comfortable win.
Bold Law trailed the mare and ran very well while Al Bundy did a magnificent job to come off 70 metres and made good ground over the last lap without ever looking a winning chance.
Rocknroll Baby, a pacer turned trotter, has now built an impressive record of 12 wins and nine placings from 43 starts. Her record would even be better for indiscretions in her races as she learnt the art of safe square-gaiting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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