Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Veteran pacer Will I Rocknroll’s winning prospects appeared to be extremely remote when he was eighth 250m from home in the 2130m SEFS You Name It We Fund It Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
But the Victorian-bred eight-year-old, the $4.40 third favourite, unleashed a sparkling sprint, three wide on the home turn and five wide in the straight, to gain a thrilling final-stride victory by a nose over the $2.65 favourite Ima Fivestar General, with the pacemaker Regal Charm ($21) a half-head away in third place.
Ima Fivestar General raced without cover throughout and looked the winner when Robbie Williams got him to the front about a metre from the post.
A week earlier when Will I Rocknroll was reappearing after a four-month absence, Gary Hall Jnr got him away to a flying start from barrier four before took the sit behind Dont Bother Me None and was hampered for room in the home straight when finishing a well-beaten second to the frontrunner.
“I thought that this was a race in which he would have to go back, particularly with Ima Fivestar General drawn inside of him,” explained Hall.
“I have now driven Will I Rocknroll twice like that, holding him back and not pulling him out until the last 300 metres — and he’s won both times. He dropped back (in class) tonight, and also did a big job to get up.”
Will I Rocknroll, prepared by Gary Hall Snr, won eleven times in Victoria and has had 50 starts in WA for seven wins and seven placings, taking his record to 84 starts for 18 wins, 13 placings and $194,998.
By American stallion Rock N Roll Heaven, Will I Rocknroll is out of the Mach Three mare Laughing Lilly, who has also produced Kash Is Back (128 starts for 18 wins, 342 placings and $183,180) and Kashed Up (45 starts for 11 wins, 21 placings and $262,518).