Nick Ryan Everest dreaming with Johnny Rocker
Johnny Rocker is poised to establish himself as a top-tier sprinter, according to his trainer, Nick Ryan, who has mapped out an ambitious spring program for the rising five-year-old.
Ryan is not holding back, planning for the entire to resume in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 7 and then compete in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 27.
Ryan is aiming for a slot in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19 for Johnny Rocker, confident that his form in those two races will secure it.
“I think he’s going to improve in the next campaign. He’s going to be a five-year-old bull next season and there’s plenty to come,” the trainer told Racing.com.
“That first preparation, he exceeded expectations.
“We had nice plans and we were always going to raise the bar with him. Now we’re back for the Group 1 sprints at The Valley and we are after an Everest slot.
“We won’t be making up the numbers in any race we contest with him.”
Johnny Rocker is currently marked as a +7000 winning hope with horse racing bookmakers for The Everest.