Trainer Kelly Schweida is a stickler for conservatism and he’s maintaining the stance despite the promise displayed by his emerging sprinter Rocker.
Born and bred in north Queensland, Schweida has experienced the highs and lows of racing over an illustrious career and experience tells him not to look too far ahead despite the boom on Rocker.
The four-year-old son of Fastnet Rock has won three and been runner-up twice in his brief five-start career.
“He has a long way to go and he has to lift a bit,” Schweida said.
“He’s shown a lot of promise but he has to deliver on it.”
Rocker gets the chance to deliver in the Coastal Tipper Hire Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday but Schweida has warned punters to tread warily.
“He’s had anything but an ideal preparation and we’ve been playing catch up all the way through,” Schweida said.
“It’s three and half weeks between runs going into this race and it was four weeks between his previous two runs.
“He was supposed to run last week but the rain came and the track was rated heavy so I scratched and as soon as I did the sun came out and the track came up OK.
“He’s going well and he needs to get some prizemoney in the bank but whatever happens I am spelling him after Saturday.”
Schweida is adamant Rocker will be a better horse when ridden quietly and has booked Glen Colless on Saturday but admits the race is far from the ideal stage to change his racing pattern.
“He’ll be a better horse ridden back but 1200 metres around the Coast is probably not the ideal place to be going back,” Schweida said.
“He’s drawn seven so he’ll probably travel about fourth or fifth during the run.”
At his last run Rocker was narrowly beaten by So So Sure at Rosehill on December 10 and Schweida admitted he was disappointed the horse didn’t win despite a few hiccups leading into the race.
“I thought he would have put them away. But in saying that I had to trial on the Tuesday before the race and that wasn’t ideal,” Schweida said.
“It’s hard to get a guide on him from that. In realty he’s won a maiden and a Benchmark 75.
“He’s got untapped potential but there’s a long way to go for him.”
AAP TURF
