Progressive Queensland pacer Frankie Rocks is set for another challenge.
And it’s a steep one at that.
The raw three-year-old talent took the prized scalp of Catcha Lefty yesterday (Tuesday) at Albion Park when leading throughout in career best time of 1:53.6 with closing sectionals of 27.8 and 27.9 seconds.
Most experts had considered Catcha Lefty to be a standout in the sunshine state following his excellent rookie term last season.
Prior to the victory, connections had already nominated him for the Gr.1 $200,000 Victoria Derby series in Melbourne.
Heats are scheduled for this weekend at Ballarat.
“It’s a very quick turnaround but we’ve always held him in very high regard but he just needed time and maturity. He’s come back in very good order and he keeps improving, this is a quantum class rise but Kevin and Kay (Seymour – owners) are prepared to give him his chance of qualifying for the final.” Trainer/driver Grant Dixon said.
The regally bred gelding is unbeaten this season winning all three starts and connections are looking at several features including local and interstate targets.
Following his first two victories this term, Dixon took him back to the trials for further education.
And the benefit of those extra trials was on display yesterday.
“I wanted him back in the draw, which was the main reason for the trials because most of his career has been spent on the outside. I also tinkered with his gear and removed the pacifiers and opened him right up and he reacted well.
“He ran the gate very well and showed he’s capable of using his early speed if required and then he settled perfectly and backed right off with an easy second quarter, he never fired up and showed total control with that early burn which was very pleasing.
“He’s grown up a lot, he could work the best horses at the stable and beat them but he struggled on race day but that was maturity. He handled Leos Best in trackwork comfortably, the difference was Leos Best is a good racehorse and proved that by winning two features last season but the penny has finally dropped with Frankie now.”
Frankie Rocks is scheduled to fly south on Thursday before lining up in the last of three qualifying heats on Saturday night.
The big striding gelding has drawn gate six in the 2200m heat.
“The draw is not perfect but that’s what we’ve got and hopefully he can qualify, that’s the main priority. The field boasts some excellent talent and it might be a little difficult to assess all the form considering they come from near and far.
“This trip may have come up a little soon but he deserves his chance, I didn’t expect him to be running 1:53 at his third run back this season either. The trip away might be another chance for him to mature a little more.”
Dual feature race winner Leos Best starts in the second qualifying Derby Heat and has drawn gate four.
The Cammibest gelding has returned in good form this season resulting in a first-up victory at Albion Park in 1:56.2 before chasing home exciting pacer Mattgregor into third in a brilliant time of 1:53.4.
Leos Best hasn’t started since December 22.
“I’m happy for him to make the trip and he should perform well, he enjoyed a great season last term and he’s returned in the same manner.
“I just backed off a little bit with him after his last start and he’s in good shape, he’s a good little racehorse that always puts in.”
Both three-year-olds are raced by Kevin and Kay Seymour.
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