The Rocket has come good with a vengeance this season winning two in a row at Belmont after being given every chance to fulfil his potential by trainers Sean and Jake Casey.

A son of Swettenham Stud’s Group 1 winning racehorse and sire Toronado (Ire), he didn’t debut until trailing Twisted Steel (Rommel) by nine lengths as a winter 2yo at Northam.

Resuming as a summer 3yo, The Rocket weighed in four times in five outings before finishing down the track in the LR Challenge Stakes (1500m) won by Playin'it Sweet (Playing God) at Ascot in February.

It was an apprenticeship that didn’t raise any eyebrows but he was making progress behind the scenes for trainers Sean and Jake Casey.  That became clear when he returned to action earlier this month and jumped from a Belmont Maiden win to a Class 3 victory on Wednesday.

“He got some cheap sectionals in front for Nikita (Riordan) and then had them chasing when he accelerated in the straight,” Jake Casey said.  “He was strong through the line and all credit to Nikita.  It was a good ride and he was just too good.”

It was Riordan’s first win since recovering from a leg injury and she thanked the Caseys and her boss (Neville Parnham) for their support.  “It’s great to be back in the swings of things and I ride The Rocket at trackwork.  He’s definitely turned the corner.   He landed in the lead today and just I let him set his own pace in front.”

The Rocket then put the race to bed skipping more than two lengths clear of Pure Obsession (Sessions) and Olaf The Snowman (Toronado) in the TABtouch Hcp (1400m). 

He was bred and sold in partnership by Graham Daws (Dawson Stud) and Lyn Sayers (Yarradale Stud) for $100,000 to Maureen Daly at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale. They also bred his older half-sister Valency (Gingerbread Man) who was a multiple city winner as well as being black-type placed in the 2023 LR Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) at Ascot.

Another half-sister with a pedigree that signals potential is their yearling filly by Playing God.  Second-dam Most Secret (Bletchley Park) was a multiple stakes-winner at Ascot and she foaled Covertly (G1 Railway Stakes), So Secret (G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes) and Crack The Code (G3 MRC Kevin Hayes Stakes).

THE ROCKET  /  Photo: Western Racepix