Victoria Handicap up next as El Rocko eyes progress
John McArdle views the Victoria Handicap as an important launchpad toward a season filled with wet-track targets for El Rocko, forecasting a more competitive display from the free-rolling gelding come Saturday.
The Fastnet Rock seven-year-old gelding tackles his second run of the campaign in Caulfield's 1400-metre Group 3 race.
A miler partial to soft ground, he trailed the field home on debut this prep at Caulfield March 21 over 1200m on Good going, but McArdle highlighted that things didn't go entirely to plan during the contest.
"He needed the run and blew out on the dry track, but he looked as though he was going to hold his gallop and then he got bumped pretty hard," McArdle said.
"For a horse as big as he is he's a bit of a coward and when he got the bump he put the cue in the rack.
"He'll head towards the Victoria Handicap and then probably back up the week later in the Vase."
Caulfield hosts the $175,000 Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) on April 11.
Last preparation, El Rocko took the Sale Cup and was third in the 1600-metre Seymour Cup, competing in 17 races from February 1 up to the Kilmore Cup on November 23.
These early efforts this campaign focus on developing stamina, readying El Rocko for winter wet-track openings wherever they occur.
According to McArdle, after Caulfield commitments, options include the Group 3 Cummings Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville May 9 or New South Wales fixtures post-The Championships.
"If it rains somewhere, he'll go there," McArdle said.
"We give him a few runs to get him fit then just take him where there's rain."
Among the 29 nominations for the Victoria Handicap, El Rocko faces potential challengers like Group 1 victors Here To Shock and Desert Lightning.
This Saturday at Caulfield, the Victoria Handicap pairs with the Easter Cup (2000m) in Group 3 company, the latter drawing entries such as Bankers Choice, Immediacy, Plymouth, Benagil and Doctor Askar, the Chris Waller-trained Kiwi.
Victoria Handicap punters should check out betting sites for the latest online bookmakers offers.
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