Moon Rocket Delivers a Riccarton Double

Making it two from two on the programme for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, Moon Rocket (4 g Merchant Navy – Moonlover, by Ilovethiscity) broke through in the $20,000 Betavet Maiden 1400 metres on the middle day (7 Aug.) of Grand National week at Riccarton.

Rating a top three chance following his initial poly track experience when finishing fifth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 12 July at Riccarton, Moon Rocket provided a carbon copy of the win by Not Straight Laced earlier. 

Situating three back on the inner from barrier one, Moon Rocket turned for home with plenty to offer, was held up for a time, but once clear at the 300m he unleashed a terrific sprint to reel in the leader. 

“We wanted him ridden a bit more patiently and Craig Grylls did that with a lovely ride,” Walker said.

“I loved the way he attacked the line, and it seems the South Island environment is really suiting him. It’s a little bit quieter down here, slower pace, and he’s developed a confidence about him.

“The stock of Merchant Navy seems to be slower maturing and with that in mind, then Moon Rocket is the type to keep improving.”

Scoring by one length, Moon Rocket ran 1400 metres in 1:23.6 on the poly track and as race favourite he returned $2.50 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Solid through the trials stage and having produced good performances from the outset of his racing career, Moon Rocket had always given the impression of a racehorse that could work through the grades, and having now won may provide the springboard of confidence to do that. 

Owned by the Te Akau Moon Rocket Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge.

From the second crop of triple Group One winner Merchant Navy, a fast son of Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill), his dam Moonlover was also a fast mare, winning 10 times to 1200 metres, including a stakes' win, in Australia.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: ““Merchant Navy was a great racehorse, with a top pedigree, and the dam Moonlover had proper Melbourne city form. 

“The dam line sires, further down, Danehill and Sadler’s Wells, you can’t beat them, and there is plenty of black type in his pedigree.”

Moon Rocket carries a cross of super sire Danehill, through sire line of Merchant Navy and dam line of Moonlover.

Moon Rocket was strapped by Hollie Smith. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz