Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred pacer Rockmyster is giving every indication of developing into a good candidate for the rich feature events for four-year-olds later this year.
He has resumed after a spell in fine style for trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green, with a fast-finishing first-up third to Soho Firestone at Narrogin followed by successive wins at Northam, Bunbury and Gloucester Park.
The third of those wins was in the 2130m Follow @Gloucester Park On Twitter Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he gave a commanding performance. He was the $1.30 favourite from the No. 1 barrier when he set the pace and scored by more than two lengths from $8.50 chance Ardens Horizon, rating 1.57.1 after final 400m sections of 27.7sec. and 28.8sec.
“He didn’t get out as good as I thought he would,” said Egerton-Green. “I probably didn’t time it just right. But he was good enough to hold out the early challenge from Heza Head Honcho.
“He then was able to lead and dictate terms and was able to get away with opening quarters of 30.9sec. and 30.5sec. before getting on the chewy and running 27.7sec. down the back before getting home in 28.8sec.
“He has come back after a spell very well. He needed to develop a bit when he went out, and he did and has bulked up nicely.”
Rockmyster is by American stallion Rock N Roll Heaven and is the tenth foal out of the unraced New Zealand mare Operative Asset, whose progeny includes Im Jimmy James (120 starts for 15 wins, 27 placings and $107,790) and Takitumu Express (121 starts for 11 wins, 22 placings and $76,088).
Im Jimmy James has won races in New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. He was a $31 outsider when he ran home strongly from the rear to win over 1720m at Melton last Saturday week.
Rockmyster has raced 21 times for seven wins, four placings and $56,808. A winner at one of his nine New Zealand appearances he has had 12 WA starts for six wins and three placings.