Serpentine trainer Matt Scott has brought five-year-old Rock Me Over back after a spell in fine fettle and the WA-bred gelding is ready to return to the winning list when he starts from the prime No. 1 barrier in the 2130m RAC Members Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Rock Me Over has performed keenly at his four outings since resuming from a spell, twice finishing fourth behind Chicago Bull, working hard in the breeze when fifth behind Tommy Be Good and then setting the pace when a fighting second to While They Pray over 2130m last Friday night.
Reinsman Shannon Suvaljko is bullish about Rock me Over’s prospects this week, saying: “He went really super last week, and While They Pray, who is racing extremely well, just got over Rock Me Over.”
Suvaljko is keen to take full advantage of the No. 1 barrier and will make a bold bid for an all-the-way victory against some formidable opposition, including Our Alfie Romeo, Taroona Bromac, Just Rockon Bye and the speedy Golden State.
At barrier two is the Scott-trained Always Arjay, who will be having his first start for four months. “He’s working well and will be a good horse to follow, later on,” said Suvaljko. “He hasn’t had a trial and will probably need a run or two.” Always Arjay will be driven by Chris Voak.
Also racing first-up will be the Greg and Skye Bond-trained pair of Our Alfie Romeo and Taroona Bromac. Our Alfie Romeo, to be driven by Ryan Warwick from the No. 5 barrier, has won at 19 of her 44 starts and is capable of a bold first-up showing.
Four-year-old Taroona Bromac (Dylan Egerton-Green) will start from the outside barrier in the field of seven at his first appearance for two months. He has been most impressive, winning 12 times from only 19 starts.