Photo: Steve Hart Photographics.
While he didn’t win or finish in the top three, Wagga trainer Scott Spackman believes Rocket Tiger is ‘back to his best’.
With Shaun Guymer in the saddle, the Wagga galloper contested Friday’s $100,000 Snake Gully Cup (1400m) at Gundagai, and he caught the eye when flashing late to finish fourth, beaten just over two lengths by the Ben Brisbourne-trained and Nick Heywood-ridden Suparazi.
The five-year-old, which started an $18 chance, can be considered a little unlucky after he commenced moderately before being ridden for luck.
Guymer was still looking for a run before finding some space when they straightened up, and from there, they powered to the line strongly and just missed out on third, which was a reasonable effort considering he lobbed 60kg in the seven-furlong event.
“He was pretty stiff not to finish closer, but I was absolutely stoked,” Spackman said.
“I honestly thought he was going to run third and another stride, he does.
“I just can’t be prouder of the horse, and with that weight and from that draw, it’s a super effort.”
Rocket Tiger was screaming home and made up a lot of ground in the final half-furlong, and Spackman believes his one-time Golden Slipper runner has regained his confidence.
“He just attacked the line, and you love your horse to do that, and as a trainer, that’s what you want to see,” Spackman said.
“He is a very classy horse, but it’s very frustrating because he has won nothing of note since he was a two-year-old.
“Yes, he’s won at Wagga, ran well in Town Plate, and finished third at Caulfield, but he is still a Class Three horse.
“So, to come out and run like that, after all his adversities and injuries, I’m just so proud.”
Spackman is now setting Rocket Tiger for a tilt at Saturday’s $200,000 Canberra Community Chest (1400m), where he will run into a stronger field, including the likes of the Richard and Will Freedman-trained Love Tap (Shaun Guymer), the Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones-trained Super Helpful (Andrew Adkins), which won the 2022 Snake Gully Cup, the Matthew Dale-trained Cavalier Charles (Nick Heywood), the Matthew Kelley-trained I’ve Bean Tryin’ (Ellen Hennessy), and 2023 Snake gully Cup winner, Suparazi.
With Guymer taking the prized ride on Love Tap, Spackman was looking for a jockey, and he convinced up-and-coming apprentice Holly Durnan to turn down a ride at Hay for a chance to compete in the biggest race of her burgeoning career.
“Holly goes well and deserves the opportunity,” Spackman said.
“I would’ve loved Shaun on board, but he is on the favourite, and it will take a power of beating.
“Still, we’ll be thereabouts, and Holly jumped one out for me yesterday, and she has had the one ride for me for a win, and she is hard to get with Gary (Colvin) using her all the time, but I thought I’d throw the opportunity out there and she said she could ride 54kg and that she was keen to go to Canberra.
“Plus, I spoke to the owner, Noel Penfold, about it, and he was happy to give her a go.”
While Spackman agreed that the big question is whether Rocket Tiger will handle the eight-day backup following Friday’s Snake Gully Cup, he stated that his five-year-old is fighting fit ahead of the Canberra feature.
“He seems fine and happy in himself,” Spackman said.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever done this, so we’re hitting and hoping, but I tell you what, I’m glad I’m taking him there, and I wouldn’t swap him for any other runner in the race.”
The $200,000 Community Chest (1400m) headlines the Canberra program, and it will be a bittersweet moment, with champion galloper Handle The Truth having his last start in the race.
Complementing the strong card is the $40,000 Single Gaze (1200m) and TAB Federal (1400m).
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