Rock n Roll Doo is one of the most feared Australian horses to come to New Zealand in years — but trainer Michael Stanley is warning punters not to expect his best work in the $50,000 Ashburton Flying Stakes today.
The last-start stunning winner of the Victoria Cup makes his New Zealand debut up against most of our leading pacers in what will be the pivotal lead-up race to the New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 8.
Rock N Roll Doo has the motor to potentially become the dominant pacer on the Australasian Grand Circuit but Stanley says while he would love to win today, the end goal is the Cup.
"He has only had the hopples on once since the Victoria Cup two weeks ago," Stanley explains.
"He actually doesn't do a lot of fast work anyway. I ride him, swim him and canter him in the cart but he can't be at his peak for this race after he missed four days real work when he travelled here.