The Michael Stanley-trained Rock N Roll Doo joined Bondi Lockdown in giving Victoria a formidable assault on The Chariots Of Fire with a stunning win in the Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle on Saturday night.

But the pair are going to have to keep their magnificent form rolling if they are to strike a blow in this Saturday’s $250,000 feature, having lucked out with the so-called “visitors’ draws”.

Bondi Lockdown will start from gate nine and Rock N Roll Doo to his direct outside in the widest front row draw, meaning success will be hard-earned.

Of the other Victorians, Better Eclipse drew gate one, Bettor Call Me gate four, Spring In His Step gate five and Beyond Delight gate nine, setting up for what should be an enthralling race.

CHARIOTS OF FIRE draw (with nominated driver, trainer):

1 BETTER ECLIPSE (Greg Sugars, Jess Tubbs)

2 TITIAN RAIDER (Glenn McElhinney, Harry Martin)

3 KRUG (Jack Trainor, Cran Dalgety)

4 BETTOR CALL ME (Sofia Arvidsson, Matthew Craven)

5 SPRING IN HIS STEP (Nathan Jack, Russell Jack)

6 CAPTAIN CRUSADER (EM 2) (Rickie Alchin)

7 CHEVRON ART (Joshua Gallagher, Jason Grimson)

8 DELIGHTFUL DUDE (Cameron Hart, Jarrod Alchin)

9 BEYOND DELIGHT (Cameron Hart, Emma Stewart)

10 RICKOSHAY (EM 1) (Blake Fitzpatrick, Lisa Fitzpatrick)

11 BONDI LOCKDOWN (Aaron Dunn)

12 ROCK N ROLL DOO (Luke McCarthy, Michael Stanley)

 

PUNTERS STILL LOCKED IN

Aaron Dunn's front-running powerhouse Bondi Lockdown has been installed favourite for the Group 1 Menangle mile despite the tricky draw.

TAB.com.au markets have opened, with Bondi Lockdown heading the market as a $2.80 chance, out from his $2.60 opening ahead of second-favourite Krug ($3.60). Titian Rider, who drew gate two, was the initial mover, in to $10 from $14. 

Rock N Roll Doo opened at $6 and has since eased to $6.50 on the fourth line of betting, with Bettor Call Me ($6 into $5) the only other chance marked in single figures.

Click here for the latest TAB market 

 

CAN HE DOO IT AGAIN?

Despite his eye-catching effort in the 4YO Bonanza the previous week, Rock N Roll Doo was sent out a $26 chance courtesy of his outside barrier in Saturday’s Palceface Adios Stakes, which appeared apt when he was forced to work hard before settling parked outside Krug ($1.65 fav).

However, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven dug deep in the straight, joining and then heading Krug at the 100-metre mark before drawing clear to score by three-and-a-half metres from the leader, with the Jason Grimson-trained Chevron Art third.

Stanley instilled driver Luke McCarthy with the confidence to press forward in a pre-race phone call.

“I know how strong this horse is and I thought he could sit in the breeze and win,” Stanley said.

“I thought the two favorites would go hard for the first 200 metres and then after that there would be no pressure in the race, so we were always going to come out and head towards the leaders.”

While the win could be deemed an upset by many punters, it was no surprise to Stanley.

“I’ve been saying for a long time that he is a very good horse,” he said.

“He’s been a bit immature and I’ve had to teach him how to race and driven him that way, but I said to Brendan (James) that we would take the gloves off in the Bonanza last week and then he gallops out.”

Speaking pre-draw, Stanley said he was awaiting the clash with Bondi Lockdown with a degree of anticipation.

“I’m looking forward to being in a race with Bondi Lockdown because if we are close enough to him then I think we are good enough to win,” he said.

The Jess Tubbs prepared Better Eclipse served notice he too could play a role in the Chariots and take advantage of his draw, producing a fast finishing fourth in the Paleface Adios after only seeing daylight in the last 10 metres of the race.

The depth of Victoria’s four-year-olds is highlighted with more than half of The Chariots Of Fire field trained in the state.

Pictures courtesy @CMtrackside