Rain brings out best in El Rocko

Trainer John Mcardle had his sights on a race at Flemington on Anzac Day, but a change of heart led to El Rocko being successful at Moonee Valley.

A field of just eight runners combined with a wet track provided McArdle with the perfect scenario to tackle the Ladbrokes Form Genius Handicap (1519m) on Saturday after electing to bypass what had been a capacity field, before scratchings, in the William Newton VC Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Friday.

“The 1400-metre race yesterday we thought was the race that would be the right one, but I also accepted for this race here,” McArdle said.

“When this race came up with only nine runners, we switched and then when it rained yesterday, we were happy.

“Whenever he gets his toe in the ground, he’s a different horse and he had been running well.

Supplying Jett Stanley with his first win as a senior jockey, El Rocko ($4.20) scored a 2-¾ length win from the $4 favourite Chorlton Lane with Suparazi ($4.60) a further two lengths away third.

“Credit to young Jett,” McArdle said.

“He’s a horse that is usually better with something to chase as he is a bit of a thinker, but with the light weight and the conditions today, I said to Jett you might end up outside the leader.

“I said, just don’t let him switch off and to his credit, he rode him perfectly and got the job done.”

A ‘big lad’ weighing in at 630 kilos, McArdle said it was a case of chasing the rain with El Rocko.

He said the handicapper would influence the decision of what path El Rocko takes which may include a trip to Adelaide for the Group 3 The Cummings Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on May 10 or be saved for the Winter Championships Series in Melbourne over the coming months.

“Chasing the rain is the hardest thing and keeping him intact,” McArdle said.

“I think he was up for 17 months last year, and he might be the same again this time.

“He’s 630 kilos. He’s a big lad, so condition wise he’s alright, it’s just keeping him interested and when he gets the wet ground, he certainly switches on.

“It will be interesting to see what they rate him after today, but we’ll chase the rain.

“He is multiple Stakes-placed, and he did run second to Artorius at his first start as a two-year, so he is up to this level, it’s just finding the tracks where it’s wet.”