Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Talented trainer-driver Jocelyn Young was enjoying the final few days of a two-week trip to America when her pacer Rocknroll Elliot surged home from the rear at the bell to score an impressive win in the $19,000 TABtouch Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She left Rocknroll Elliott in the capable hands of her father Kim Young, who produced the WA-bred six-year-old gelding in fine fettle for his assignment from the No. 6 barrier and champion reinsman Chris Lewis was more than happy to drive the gelding for the second time in his 68-start career, after handling him when he finished third behind Strauny 29 starts earlier, on September 16, 2022.
Jocelyn Young has been in New York visiting her younger sister Madeliene, who has had two drives in America for two wins. Jocelyn and Madeliene have each won four races with Rocknroll Elliot.
“Rocknroll Elliot’s trackwork has been sensational, and I thought he could win,” said Kim Young. “But coming from almost last wasn’t where I was expecting him to be.”
Rocknroll Elliot, a $19 chance, began from barrier five, and settled down in ninth position, with Infinite Sign ($11) setting the pace. The $1.55 favourite Youre So Fine was tenth and last in the early stages before Gary Hall Jnr sent him forward, three wide, 1450m from home.
Youre So Fine quickly moved to the breeze, while Lewis started a three-wide move from ninth at the bell. Youre So Fine got to the front at the 400m before Rocknroll Elliot dashed past him with 250m to travel and raced away to win by more than two lengths from $4 second fancy Cloud Nine, who finished solidly after trailing the pacemaker all the way. Youre So Fine was a half-head back in third place.
Rocknroll Elliot, who rated 1.56 over the 2130m, cost $14,000 as a yearling, and he has now earned $121,669 from 15 wins and 18 placings from 68 starts. He is by A Rocknroll Dance and is the second foal out of Elsu mare Pure Empathy, who raced 72 times for 12 wins, 20 placings and $88,025.