He’s Our Rokki too strong in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap
PUNTERS had already won the day at Caulfield after the likes of Winx, Global Glamour, Assign, Sheidel and Chetwood all won as favourites and He’s Our Rokki continued the roll when it won the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
The former New Zealand gelding was backed into $2.50 with CrownBet and punters were confident with the four-year-old which has now won six of seven starts with the blinkers on.
Top jockey Dwayne Dunn gave He’s Our Rokki a good run along the inside of runners before pushing out in the straight and grabbing long-shot Great Esteem on the line.
“I was getting sucked into an ordinary spot. The tempo wasn’t as hot as I expected it to be,” Dunn said.
The Toorak was the grand final for He’s Our Rokki which has now won five consecutive runs which has included a Carbine Stakes and the Packer Plate.
“This has been his real mission,” Dunn said. “He’s come through the grades impressively. The Hayes’ Dabernigs’, what a wonderful job they’ve done today.”
David Hayes stayed patient with the gelding and didn’t want to target a Group one too soon. Hayes, who trains He’s Our Rokki in partnership with both Tom Dabernig and son Ben Hayes, was pleased with the result.
“Ben’s first Group one winner,” Hayes said. “It’s really nice to finally break through.
“I’m over the moon. We’re sort of avoiding temptation with him, go through the classes.”
Hayes will now target the Group 1 Longines Miles (formerly Emirates Stakes) at Flemington on October 29.
“Probably go for the Emirates and hopefully he’ll be too qualified to run in handicaps, and just run in weight-for-age events,” Hayes added.
Great Esteen ran credibly for second with Tivaci battling on well for third at odds of $21.