Rockribbed set to debut for Aaron Laing
Cranbourne trainer Aaron Laing will learn a little more about his stable newcomer Rockribbed who is set to start at Flemington.
A former member of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, Rockribbed joined Laing’s stabled shortly after the gelding scored at Canterbury in January.
Entered for the VRC Member Rebecca Sutherland Sprint (1200m) on Saturday, Laing has elected to start the five-year-old in the Trevor Clarke Handicap (1000m) instead.
Laing has been enjoying luck with cheap purchases in his stable of 14 in recent months and Rockribbed was picked up for $27,500 from an on-line sale shortly after his Canterbury win.
“He was bought by a couple of stable clients who had a share in one of my tried horses and they had a little bit of success with him, so they went off and bought him on their own accord on-line,” Laing said.
“They got a few of their mates into him and I’ve taken a little share.
“He’s a nice horse and we’ve been chipping away slowly with him, as he’s had a bit of a tendon issue, but it has been manageable, so we’ve been doing our best with it.”
Laing said he gave Rockribbed a short break after he joined his stable before starting the rehabilitation work on the tendon.
With that out of the way, Laing set about getting the gelding into race trim for Saturday and after two jump-outs at Cranbourne, he’s ready to step out.
“I hope our way of managing the tendon is better, but it all comes down to luck, I suppose,” Laing said.
“He’s had one real soft jump-out, then another again last week where we let him travel up under his own steam on a heavy track that he doesn’t really seem to get through, but he looked good that day.”
Laing wants to see Rockribbed settle and finish his race off on Saturday and has taken the Norton Bit from the gelding’s gear that he wore at his last start.
“He was only a $27,500 purchase and some of the prices on-line now are quite big,” Laing said.
“If we can get a win on Saturday, then we’re on our way.”
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...