The “laid back” Rocket Rodney backs up Royal Ascot form, wins the Listed Dragon Stakes
ROYAL Ascot’s Windsor Castle Stakes (L) was given a form boast at Sandown today – Rocket Rodney, the runner-up to Little Big Bear at Ascot, was today’s clear-cut winner of the Listed Dragon Stakes over 6f.
He is owned by Victorious Racing, the colt having been purchased by the owner after his second-time out win at Goodwood in April when he nearly broke the track record. He ran then under the Corps Commerce Ltd and Racing Partner banner having been purchased by Stephen Corps as a foal from Whitwell Bloodstock for 18,000gns. The January-born colt did not find a buyer at 18,000gns at the Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale.
He is by Dandy Man and has a real two-year-old’s pedigree – he out of the Royal Applause mare Alushta, a sister to the Group 2 two-year-old winner Mister Cosmi, the Listed two-year-old winner Auditorium and the 5f juvenile winner Princes Georgina.
Dandy Man has had five stakes performers and two stakes-winning horses so far in 2022, including the Karl Burke-trained juvenile Yahsat, who was the runner-up in the Marygate Stakes (L).
“I think that Royal Ascot really made a man of him,” said trainer George Scott to Racing TV. “He would be better with a lead but had to do a lot of the donkey work today. He finished off the race well and quickly put it to bed. I will definitely be thinking about the Molecomb Stakes next, he has shown how much he likes the track.”
Scott added: “He is very laid back, at home he’d walk to the furlong pole on the gallop if you let him.”
Alushta had a filly by Charming Thought this spring.