Rocket Tiger confirms talent with another polished performance

Rocket Tiger’s undeniable determination was on show again at Randwick and trainer Scott Spackman says the world really is his oyster, with the Golden Slipper even in plans.

Kathy O'Hara and Rocket Tiger combine to win the opening race at Royal Randwick.

Pocket dynamo Rocket Tiger provided trainer Scott Spackman with his first city winner after a typically tough effort in the opener at Royal Randwick.

Omen punters might have found Rocket Tiger who maintained his unbeaten record in the Boxing Day Plate (1100m). The two-year-old is by Cluster, sadly one of the buzz words for this pandemic year.

Spackman, who has eight in work at his Wagga Wagga stables, was understandably emotional after training his first metropolitan winner.

“We are so proud of this little horse,’’ Spackman said.

“I told Kathy (O’Hara) before the race he is the type of horse if he gets his head in front he doesn’t like anything go past it.

“He’s a home-bred and a half-brother to Takookacod (a winner of five races) but I think this little horse is the best I’ve had.’’

Rocket Tiger ($26) settled outside leader and hot favourite Vandoula Lass ($2.70) before finishing too strongly for that filly to beat her by a long head with Vianello ($4.20) a short neck away third.

Rocket Tiger showed great determination to get the job done.

Vandoula Lass began quickly and found the rail, leading comfortably under Tommy Berry until reaching the home turn.

Berry looked to have a lapful of horse at the 300m but a persistent Rocket Tiger would not go away.

Rocket Tiger, ridden by the in-form Kathy O’Hara, edged in front halfway down the straight and warded off Vandoula Lass in the drive to the line.

“I wanted to keep the favourite honest,’’ O’Hara explained. “I didn’t serve it up to him but I didn’t want to let that horse get away from me.

“I just kept him up to the gallop and made sure he was close to the leader. He was really good late.

Kathy O'Hara edged Rocket Tiger in front halfway down the straight and warded off Vandoula Lass.

“He was super tough and he put his head down when it counted, he wanted to win.’’

O’Hara has finished 2020 with a bang. She also won on Bowery Breeze in the Schweppes Handicap to complete her second successive city double in as many meetings after riding a brace at Warwick Farm last Wednesday.

Rocket Tiger, who has the distinctive “fish” image branding of owner-breeder and Murray cod farmer Noel Penfold, won on protest at his Canberra debut earlier this month.

Spackman said Rocket Tiger’s determination under duress at Canberra gave him the encouragement to set the gelding for the Randwick race.

“I identified this horse early and I didn’t tell Noel Penfold too much about the horse as I was a bit worried he might end up with a city trainer,’’ Spackman revealed.

Trainer Scott Spackman after winning the Boxing Day Plate.

“I was shocked at the time he ran in Canberra (breaking 33s for the final 600m) so we came here with some confidence. He is as tough as nails and just keeps improving and improving.

“He will go for a quick little break now and I’ll speak to the owner but we’ve probably got to think about a Black Opal or a Wellington Boot.

“But they’re talking a (Golden) Slipper chance here, too, and we’ve knocked them off so I don’t know — the world is his oyster.”

Spackman has only been training for eight years but has prepared some very handy gallopers, most notably O’ So Hazy, winner of the Country Championships Qualifier at Wagga Wagga and a third placegetter behind Victoria in the 2018 Country Championships Final.

Vandoula Lass and Vianello had their chances to win but found Rocket Tiger simply too tough under pressure.

The start of the race was delayed for a few minutes when Silver Thorn became cast in the barriers and was subsequently scratched.

Jockey James McDonald was noticeably limping as he walked back after the race but was subsequently passed fit by doctors to continue riding and duly won the next race on boom bush sprinter Pinnacle Prince.

Originally published as Rocket Tiger confirms talent with another polished performance