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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Byford trainer Ron Huston admits that Robbie Rocket is “no star” but is “very handy when driven that way.”

They were Huston’s comments after Gary Hall jnr had driven a patient race and used the four-year-old’s sprinting ability to score an easy victory in the 2130m APGOLD.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Robbie Rocket, the $1.70 favourite, was restrained at the start from barrier three and raced in seventh position in the one-wide line for much of the way before unleashing a sparkling sprint 400m from home, bursting to the front 150m later and winning by 8m from $10 chance Valbonne, rating 1.57.2

The Notorious One, from barrier five, began speedily and led by three quarters of a length, but couldn’t get to the front, with polemarker Blue Blazer holding the lead.

“Sit-sprinting; that’s his go,” said Huston. “Junior gets on well with him and understands him. Robbie Rocket is a lovely animal, and I have a soft spot for him because I had so much success with his dam Elite Angel (who won 12 times from 54 starts for Huston).

“Robbie is a similar type of horse to Elite Angel, and that’s high speed and a real sit and kick horse.”

Robbie Rocket was bred and is owned by his breeder Patrick O’Boyle, who lives in Tasmania. His 33 starts have produced seven wins, 13 placings and stakes of $68,999.