By Mike Love
The first few seconds will be critical to favourite Rakero Rocket’s chances in today’s Tyre General Summer Cup at Phar Lap raceway.
There is no doubting the gelding’s ability. On cup day at Addington he beat a field which is not much stronger than the one he meets today – though that was from a mobile.
Trainer Tom Bamford feels it could go either way whether the gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven steps or not – his confidence shaken while at Kaikoura where he almost turned the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Aged Classic into a circus by all but tipping Zachary Butcher out of the cart on race favourite Sooner The Bettor due to a misdemeanour at the tapes.
“There’s a lot going on at Kaikoura. Some horses can handle it, and some horses can’t,” said Bamford.
Things will be different today without the crowd on the inside of the track – and starting further on the outside of the second line.
“He’s bulletproof at home. It’s probably 50/50 whether he’s going to go or not. Hopefully Gavin (Smith) can get him on the right foot.”
Rakero Rocket has come through his cup day win bouncing around, according to Bamford.
“He’s come through the run nicely. I haven’t done a lot with him between runs.”
“They’ll know he’s there. I’d like to think he’s a winning chance.”
He’s currently a $2.15 favourite with Bamford also having a strong chance in Race 7, the race preceding the Cup with Ebury Street who looks set for another cheque in the Silver Ferns Farms mobile pace. She’s a $2.60 favourite.
“It’s a very winnable race for her. She was a little bit unlucky last start.”
“She’ll like the 2600m and she should be going very close to winning.”
Ebury Street will be driven by Henry Sail.
Racing commences today from 2:52pm.
