Victorian-bred pacer Will I Rocknroll arrived in Gary Hall’s Senior’s Serpentine stables last September as a haughty stallion who upset the champion trainer with his antics.
He was an immediate disappointment at his West Australian debut at Gloucester Park on November 20 when he began fast before breaking into a bad gallop after 120m and finishing a distant last, 145m behind the winner To Fast To Serious.
“He was a problem with his bullish temperament,” said Hall. “He wanted to squeal and kick everything, so I got him gelded. But then I couldn’t get him going.”
After his dismal WA debut Will I Rocknroll chalked up six consecutive unplaced efforts from wide barriers before he finally showed a glimpse of form, racing wide early and then working hard in the breeze when a fighting but well-beaten third behind Al Guerrero at Gloucester Park last Friday week.
He drew out wide at barrier eight in the Michael Holtham Pace on Friday night and was second favourite at $4.40 against modest opposition.
Gary Hall Jnr restrained the six-year-old at the start and he was content to remain at the rear while the $2.75 favourite Cavalry Call was setting a solid pace. Will I Rocknroll was twelfth and last at the 650m mark when Hall set him on fire.
He revealed a blistering burst of speed to dash past his rivals and charge to the front at the 400m before going on to win by a length and a half from the fast-finishing Pierre Whitby.
This was Will I Rocknroll’s first win from nine WA starts and it took his record to 43 starts for 12 wins, seven placings and stakes of $87,085. By Rock N Roll Heaven, Will I Rocknroll is out of the Mach Three mare Laughing Lilly, who won twice in New Zealand and three times in New South Wales from 28 starts.
“He’s just starting to come good,” said Hall snr. “He is a class horse and can race in good company because he’s got high speed. Hopefully, he will get better and better.”
by Ken Casellas