Hall Likes Rock Me Over’s Versatility

Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr was impressed with Rock Me Over’s fast-finishing third to Speed Man and Golden State at Gloucester Park last Friday night and he is confident the smart colt will break through for his first success as a three-year-old when he contests the $25,000 Milford Homes Roofline Series Sales Classic for colts and geldings on Friday night.

Rock Me Over, prepared at Byford by Katja Warwick, has finished third in four of his five starts this season and looks on target to prove hard to beat this week, particularly from his handy draw at No. 3 on the front line.

Hall drove Speed Man for his win last Friday night and said: “I was impressed with the way Rock Me Over came home (from last at the bell in a field of seven). He’s got a few strings to his bow and he just needs to put them all together.”

Hall drove Rock Me Over in all of his nine starts as a two-year-old for three wins, three seconds and a third. He was prominent in feature events, finishing a half-head second to Play The Boys in the Sales Classic, second to the brilliant Jack Mac in the Pearl Classic and third to Cott Beach and Miss Sangrial in the Champagne Classic.

“I had big wraps on him, early on,” said Hall. “But he hasn’t quite lived up to my expectations at this stage. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn the corner at any stage.

“He’s a funny horse; sat up, he’s quick, but once you make your run with him you’ve got to keep going because he’s a little bull and if you stop-start with him he’ll just pull up. We’ll have a crack for the front, but if he can’t get to the lead he should sit somewhere handy.”

One of Rock Me Over’s most serious rivals is sure to be the Bryan Cousins-trained Kohli, who is favourably drawn at the No. 2 barrier. A fast-finishing winner over Ella Gant Player at Pinjarra five starts ago, Kohli’s recent form on South-West tracks has been quite sound.

Chris Voak, who will drive Kohli, said: “Take Rock Me Over out, and I’d give Kohli a really solid chance of winning. When I drove him at Pinjarra a couple of starts ago we went only slowly, but he sprinted home very well.”

Harry Haich, a last-start all-the-way winner at Northam for part-owner and trainer Vicki Lea, has claims. He is the solitary runner on the back line and Shannon Suvaljko will have plenty of options.

Ooshta and Nuclear Poker are recent Pinjarra winners and will have admirers from unfavourable barriers.

Chris Voak has declared the Annie Belton-trained Lady De La Renta a ‘good thing’ in the Total Home Frames Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies, a 2130m event in which she will start from the No. 5 barrier.

“I tracked her this morning (Tuesday) and said to Annie that the only draws I didn’t want were one and ten. I said she would win from any other draw. I think that only bad luck will get her beaten. I think she is a standout on the card.

“Ideally, I’d like to be in front. She’s got toughness and speed, and is the full package. The only plan I’ve got is to keep out of trouble. Her ability will get the rest done.”

Lady De la Renta’s recent form is outstanding and she looks the winner from last-start winners Princess Major and Somersby.