Rock On Wood needs to win at Otaki on Friday to go to Levin Classic
The three-year-old will take on the older horses in the Vets On Riverbank Handicap (1400m) in a bid to earn a crack at the best of his age group.
“He’s got a nomination for the Levin Classic, but he’s way down the list so he would have to go pretty well,” part-owner and trainer Leanne Elliot said.
He is currently at $51 in the market for the Group One feature at Trentham on Saturday week, the market currently headed by Age Of Fire at $5 with Demonetization at $6.
Rock On Wood was a debut winner at Awapuni in November before he went to Wellington where he finished third last month behind Smokin’ Oak and the subsequent Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m) winner Savvy Coup.
“He’s always showed us a bit, but he’s needed time,” Elliot said.
Rock On Wood has been ridden in both of his starts by Elliot’s son Ryan, who is apprenticed to Team Rogerson, but suspension has ruled him out and Jason Waddell will partner the Redwood gelding.
“It will be another learning curve for the horse, he was a bit green at his last start,” she said.
Rock On Wood has performed well both times on good ground and the prospect of rain has Elliot wary.
“I think he’ll handle a dead track all right though,” she said.