Rock N Roll Doo will not compete in this year’s $1million slot race in New Zealand, with owner Brendan James deciding a trip to the spelling paddock is the best option for his star pacer.
The Victoria Cup winner had been secured by “Aussie Lads” to run in the April 14 feature, but the slot holders are now on the hunt for a new representative.
“The horse himself is great, but he’s telling us he’s had enough and racing well below his best, so we’re turning him out for a spell,” James told nightofchampions.nz.
“We’re disappointed we won’t get the chance to team with Aussie Lads for this big race, but we appreciate their understanding and hope we can do so in future.”
The Michael Stanley-trained Rock N Roll Doo, who campaigned in New Zealand for three runs during late last year, was retired from the Bendigo Pacing Cup on January 7, finished 11th in the Ballarat Pacing Cup on January 21 and in the same position during last weekend’s A. G. Hunter Cup.
This year will see the second running of The Race, with prizemoney up from $900,000 to $1million.
The inaugural running of the event was won by Self Assured.