Pacer on a roll at Gloucester
Star pacer Rocknroll Lincoln bounced back to his best on Friday night at Gloucester Park, when he recorded a brilliant victory in the $50,000 Group 2 Governor's Cup (2130m).
The Justin Prentice-trained five-year-old was having his first start since the infamous Group 1 WA Pacing Cup (2936m) victory on January 18.
Driven by Gary Hall Jr and starting as the pre-tote favourite, he scored victory by 3.3m in the Governor's Cup and rated 1.54.7.
Roughie Happy As Larry ran second and Vultan Tin finished third.
Post-race, Hall Jr felt the five-year-old followed up brilliantly, considering the race was awash with bold tactical manoeuvres.
“It was an outstanding effort to score so impressively after his first start in five weeks,” Hall Jnr said.
“He’s now the complete racehorse. When I took him forward tonight, he dropped the bit and relaxed.
“It’s now onwards to the $50,000 Pinjarra Cup (2692m) on March 4. He'll be ideally suited at Pinjarra.”
Part-owner Glen Mortimer said Rocknroll Lincoln was likely to have two more starts in his campaign.
“If all goes well in the Pinjarra Cup, he’ll then likely be a 4 and 5YO Championship starter,” Mortimer said.
The $50,000 4 and 5YO Championship (2130m) will be a Gloucester Park feature race on March 15.
Mortimer believed his connections were not planning an interstate campaign this year – nor any Inter Dominion Championship starts – when the series is conducted in New Zealand next season.
“The summer carnival stakes here are good,” Mortimer said. “We're keen to aim at the Fremantle Pacing Cup and try to win a second WA Pacing Cup.”
Rocknroll Lincoln travelled strongly as he led past the 400m post. Heading into the closing stages, he asserted superiority to slip away from the chasing pack.
A winner at 15 of 43 starts, he has earned stakes totalling almost $500,000.
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