Bulls stayer Rockaway is on trial for a Wellington Cup tilt when he lines up in the class two $8000 Dunstan Stayers Championship (2200m) at Trentham today.
Rockaway has only won two races but trainer Stuart Mitchell is quietly confident of adding to that tally in coming weeks and sneaking into the cup with a light weight.
"If he wins on Saturday we'll probably set him for an open class race somewhere and if he measures up there, then we'll get serious.
"It is just one step at a time, but my feeling is he is worthy of a nomination for the Wellington Cup - he'll get two miles (3200m) on his ear."
Rockaway hinted at a bright staying future when he won a c1 2000m race at Awapuni at his last start on October 28. He came from midfield to win going away from the highly regarded Spanish Belt.
It was Rockaway's first run over a middle distance this campaign, but the victory did not surprise Mitchell. He believes with an ounce of luck the six-year-old son of Oregon would have won two races last season.
"He went extra good last time (Awapuni) and has been getting better and better.
"I can't fault his work and I'm expecting a good run."
In-form Palmerston North jockey Lisa Mumby rode Rockaway at Awapuni and retains the mount today.
However, she turned down the opportunity to ride stablemate Chum in the $9000 c3 Blue Island Seafoods 1600, preferring instead to partner the Mark Oulaghan-trained Canny Deal.
Hayden Tinsley has snapped up the ride on Chum and Mitchell is confident the four-year-old will be competitive.
He said Chum was such a robust horse he was hard to keep fit but he believes the son of Yachtie will eventually develop into a handy stayer.
"A mile (1600m) at Trentham is a tough mile and that won't bother him," Mitchell said.
"He's built like a Roman tank and has a terrific attitude but it is a fine line between flogging him and keeping him fit."
Besides Canny Deal, Chum meets a tidy field including recent Trentham winner Half Irish, the Noel Eales-trained Strike The Belle, On Call and Walkabout.
The class act at Trentham is Wanganui speed machine Centre Crest in the $14,000 Masterton Sprint (1200m).
Centre Crest bolted in on the track on November 7 and should get his favourite firm conditions today. However, Waverley mare Torino has a 6.5kg pull in the weights and should not be under-estimated.
Centre Crest will carry his full 59kg after trainer Wayne Marshment decided to stay with Mumby.
Torino was late clear at Avondale last start and trainer John Boon said with a better run she was capable of pushing the favourite.
"I think 1400m is her pet distance but we've kept her on the fresh side and she runs a nice 1200m that way."
- NZPA
Racing: Rockaway being set to tackle Wellington Cup
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