Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Pinjarra trainer-reinsman Chris Voak tipped a bright future for Maximum Rock after driving him to an easy victory in the $35,000 Garrad’s BOTRA Cup, a stand over 2503m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He is a really nice horse, and I have a lot of time for him,” said Voak. “And I think he will develop a lot more.”
Voak made the most of Maximum Rock’s front-line draw, with a 20m advantage over the $2 favourite Dawson, who was attempting his fifth win in a row.
Maximum Rock was the $4.10 second favourite and he made life tough for his rivals by setting a solid pace and reeling off the final three 400m sections in 29sec., 28.7sec. and 29.2sec. and coasting to victory by two lengths from $10 chance Bluto, with Dawson 2m farther back in third place.
Voak is still weighing up the options for four-year-old Maximum Rock, who has earned $78,052 from seven wins and 14 placings from 30 starts for his breeder and owner Bob Fowler.
“I’m considering setting Maximum Rock for the Marathon (a $35,000 3309m stand on August 15),” said Voak. “And after that there are the feature events for four-year-olds later in the year.”
Voak has been at the forefront in the BOTRA Cup in recent years, having won with Carabao in 2023 and then finishing second to Carana with Rock Artist last year.
After Rock Artist’s second in the Cup last year, he finished to Carana again in the Marathon two starts later and then went on to contest the rich events for four-year-olds, finishing fifth in the Four-Year-Old Championship, sixth in the Four-Year-Old Classic and eighth behind Mister Smartee in the Golden Nugget.
“I didn’t think that Rock Artist would make the Nugget, and this year the four-year-olds are nowhere as near as strong as they were last year,” said Voak. “I know that Maximum Rock has more power than some other horses I’ve driven in the big races for four-year-olds.”
Maximum Rock is by American sire Rock N Roll World and is the only foal out of Live Or Die mare Life To The Max, who was retired after racing 69 times for six wins, 15 placings and $41,870 in stakes.