Kimberley ‘Rock’ set to strike
Hat-tricks are difficult to come by in racing and four-timers even harder to achieve, but that is where Kent Rock finds himself today.
The four-year-old son of Right Approach is aiming to make it four wins from four starts at Flamingo Park when he lines up in Race 8, a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m.
Another party could be on the cards for his connections.
Stephanie Miller, who lies fifth on the local trainers log going into this meeting, prepares Kent Rock and could not have asked for a better start to her charge’s career on the Kimberley sand. After relocating from Port Elizabeth, his first start was over 1400m and he was too good for his rivals, including First Answer, who he meets on 1.5kg worse terms for a 2.50-length victory.
That was followed up by two wins over 1600m in easy fashion. The most recent was a facile 6.25-length annihilation of a respectable field, giving the impression that he might go on to bigger things in the Northern Cape. His merit rating has increased 17 points to 73 since he’s been campaigned on sand, which shows just how much he loves the surface.
Jockey Gunter Wrogemann stays aboard Kent Rock and will jump from stall No 2. The drop to 1200m is a slight concern but the way this colt races dispels most of the worries as he should find himself in a position to strike at the business end.
The Pick 6 always attracts much attention and Kent Rock could be that elusive banker punters desperately need.
In the opening leg of the exotic bet, Race 4, Island Express could enjoy his trip south, while Peppermint Crisp (Race 5), Pena Palace (Race 6), The Big Show (Race 7) and Razzle My Tazzle at the back should not be left out of permutations.
