Mackay trainer John Manzelmann is hoping to celebrate another big payday with star north Queensland three-year-old Rocket To Glory in Saturday’s Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm.
Manzelmann normally has a team of 35 in work but has cut back his north Queensland stable to 10 so he can bring a team of four horses south for a six-week stay during the summer.
“I’ve brought Rocket To Glory down for the Magic Millions Guineas and I’ve got him and his stablemate Bawaardi running at Eagle Farm tomorrow,” Manzelmann said.
“I’ve got two more coming down later but I’m only here for six weeks.”
Manzelmann transferred Rocket To Glory to Caloundra trainer Darryl Hansen for one start when the son of Shovhog claimed the $250,000 QTIS Geon Group Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm in July.
Rocket To Glory resumed this campaign with a close second at Rockhampton last month before the gelding returned to Brisbane, finishing fifth to Biggles over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on December 3.
“I wasn’t too confident that day as he only came down the day before,” Manzelmann said.
“He travelled down well enough but it was very hot and he spent 12 hours on the float and wasn’t at his best.
“When he won the big race at Eagle Farm last campaign I transferred him to Darryl Hansen because I had too many in work back home but I’ve cut back on my team now so I could spent more time here.”
Rocket To Glory has shown great resilience during his career which has taken him from north Queensland to Brisbane and back, then back to Brisbane via Rockhampton.
Prior to his Eagle Farm victory, Rocket To Glory won three straight in the north including The Great Northern Plate (1200m) at Townsville.
Rocket To Glory cost $20,000 at the QTIS 600 yearling sales after Manzelmann enjoyed success with his full-brother Rocket On By, a former handy two-year-old and the winner of five races in north and central Queensland.
Manzelmann is concerned with Rocket To Glory’s barrier 14 but hopes it could also prove an omen.
“He came into barrier 15 the day he won the big QTIS race and he showed brilliant pace to get over and lead that day,” he said.
“Hopefully he can do the same again but the alley is a worry.”
Rocket To Glory was a rig when Manzelmann decided to geld him at the start of the year.
“He bucked in his first run back from a spell and almost dumped his rider Justin Stanley then he bucked again and tossed Dave Simmons off at Townsville next start,” he said.
Rocket To Glory has earned more than $400,000 in prizemoney from his five wins and two placings during his 13-start career but Manzelmann hopes the biggest pay cheque is yet to come in the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
AAP TURF
