Mackay flyer Rocket to Glory led in a Raheen Stud quinella with a front-running victory in the $250,000 Geon Group QTIS 600 Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Rocket To Glory (2g Shovhog – English Summer by Dodge) crossed from an outside barrier and cruised to a two length victory over fellow Shovhog youngster Noisy Ocean.
The QTIS scheme has been a godsend for the Queensland breeding industry and Raheen bred runners have led the charge this season.
Raheen sold Rocket To Glory to Mackay trainer John Manzelmann for $20,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions QTIS 600 yearling sale. He has now amassed $403,000 after a hat-trick of rich bonus wins at Townsville, Rockhampton and Brisbane.
Noisy Ocean (2g Shovhog – Hepburn Rose by Sir Tristram) cost Gold Coast trainer Bryan Guy just $15,000 from Raheen’s draft at the 2010 Magic Millions and has banked $266,000 for connections.
Rocket To Glory is part-owned by Manzelmann’s wife Stacey and several partners from Longreach including Radio 4TAB ‘Bush Beat’ host Rob Luck.
He relocated from Mackay to Sunshine Coast trainer Daryl Hansen in preparation for Saturday’s QTIS feature. “He’s a very special horse and showed he can relax and get 1400 metres easily,” Hansen explained. “He will be spelled immediately and hopefully will stay with me next season.”
Noisy Ocean and Rocket To Glory are from the penultimate crop of former Raheen resident Shovhog who died in November 2009.
Raheen’s Nolan family have bounced back from that loss with the addition of Publishing (Testa Rossa) and recent signing Captain Sonador (Shamardal) to its roster.
Rocket To Glory’s dam English Summer is in foal to Publishing and Noisy Ocean’s dam Hepburn Rose foaled a colt by the same sire in November.
The Gladfield Valley nursery is gearing up for another busy stud season with the recent acquisition of G1 AJC Epsom Hcp winner Captain Sonador.
Captain Sonador (Shamardal) will stand for an introductory service fee of $11,000 (inc gst).
Saturday’s rich result coincided with Raheen Stud unveiling its new website this week: