Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Few pacers in the State can match the dazzling gate speed of Rockandrollartist, and trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo took full advantage of this priceless asset to drive the WA-brer six-year-old to an excellent all-the-way victory in the $23,000 Perth Now Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Rockandrollartist, a $5.90 chance, flew straight to the front from out wide at barrier seven, and when he dashed over the middle quarters in 28.4sec. and 28.2sec. he gave his rivals little chance of beating him.
After a final 400m of 29.1sec. Rockandrollartist won by just over a length from $9 chance High Price, who surged home out wide from ninth at the bell, with Storyteller ($4.60) also finishing fast from last at the bell to be third.
“It was an easy drive once we got to the front,” said De Campo. “He copped a bit of pressure racing into the bell which made me a bit nervous. I have been happy with him behind the scenes, and he is getting better with every start.
“I expected him to go really good in a heat of the Nights Of Thunder last week but he got a check about the 300m. With his gate speed he is going to be competitive in any race he goes in.”
Rockandrollartist has earned $111,759 from 12 wins and 19 placings from 64 starts.