Diamond rocks the Group 2 Classic

By John Dunne (HRV)

Keith Cotchin left rival trainers to fight among the minor prizemoney when he landed an Alabar Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic Final double at Melton on Saturday night.

It was the Elmore-based Cotchin’s first metropolitan training double at Tabcorp Park, and he executed the feat with a couple of maiden performers Denny Rocks, courtesy of a brilliant drive by John Caldow, and Diamond Shooz.

Unsuccessful in 12 previous attempts, Denny Rocks appeared unlikely to break the drought when he was buried five back along the pegs heading into the back straight on the final occasion.

Caldow saved every inch of ground before easing into the running line with 700 metres to travel and the son of Rock N Roll Heaven gained a saloon passage through the field before peeling four wide around the home turn.

Cotchin conceded the stars aligned for Denny Rocks, who finished sixth in his heat, after Spring Line was scratched from the $50,000 final.

“We were first emergency and then gained a run when Steve Duffy’s horse came out and then everything fell into place, getting a soft run along the pegs in a fast-run race and then John (Caldow) did the rest getting a great run through the field,” Cotchin said.

Purchased outside the sale ring by John Senior, Denny Rocks had been the medium of bad luck in several outings according to Cotchin.

“There have been excuses made for him not being driven right and probably not trained right,” he said.

“We always thought he was all right with a good turn of speed.”

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-04-12/21

in the 12 April 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.