Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Roca Rojo lands an early-price gamble
Michael Graham
Roca Rojo lands an early-price gamble
Roca Rojo comes home clear in Killarney
© Photo Healy Racing
Unraced Roca Rojo was backed through the day from 20/1 to 15/2 and her supporters must have been impressed with the manner of her victory in the extended mile maiden for three-year-old fillies in Killarney.
She was second last swinging in with three and a half furlongs to go as Declan McDonogh niggled her along. She really got into her stride though with two and a half to go and once switched out she readily took over the lead with a furlong and a half to race.
A couple of cracks were administered inside the furlong pole and she quickened up impressively to open her account by seven and a half lengths at 8/1. The daughter of Strategic Prince sported a hood on this first racecourse appearance. Love Rosie (4/1) landed the race for second while Ciel Etoile (20/1) finished third.
Handler Adrian McGuinness said: "She's a decent filly and is a half-sister to Roca Tumu [won Britannia Handicap for Joanna Morgan at Royal Ascot in 2013].
"She came out of Joanna's and she did a lot of the work with her. I only got her at the end of February.
"She worked one day with Bubbly Bellini at Leopardstown and we knew we had a good one. She has a little hotness which is why we put the hood on her, and she was very green and novicey up the straight. She did it easy.
"I don't know where we'll go next but I'd like to get some black type with her."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee