Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Written by Paul Vettise
David Pfieffer took a chance on a colt at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale and he’s never had any cause to rue that decision with his gamble now living up to his name.
The Warwick Farm trainer purchased Rocketing By (So You Think {NZ}) out of Middlebrook Valley Lodge’s draft with Ferguson Bloodstock for $22,000 and with stake earnings already topping $170,000 the 3-year-old has proved a shrewd investment.
Rocketing By will on Saturday have an opportunity to massively boost his bank account at Randwick where he will step out in the $1 million R. Listed Inglis Sprint.
“When he was offered at the Scone Sale he was presented with no x-rays and I daresay people left him out,” said Pfieffer, who also shares in the ownership. “I was happy to take him home.
“I put him out in the paddock for a couple of months before he was broken in and then x-rayed him and he had no problems.”
Rocketing By as a yearling
Rocketing By subsequently placed in both of his 2-year-old appearances before a break and then broke his maiden during a three-start spring campaign and another spell followed.
The colt returned to win a trial and a first-up victory at Nowra and last time out accounted for the talented Rule Of Law (Snitzel) in a competitive age group event at Randwick.
“This has been our target race and a few of the good horses will be using it as a lead-up. We’re going there in form and full of race fitness,” Pfieffer said.
“We’re going there in form and full of race fitness.” - David Pfieffer
“He’s always been a nice horse and he went to Nowra first-up to get the prizemoney to get into this race and his last-start cemented his position.”
To be partnered by Kerrin McEvoy, Rocketing By has drawn a wide gate (10), but the prospect of the race being run at a solid clip will help his chances.
“He will appreciate a wet track and third-up he’s at the peak of fitness. It looks like they will go quickly so gate 10 won’t be so bad,” Pfieffer said.
“He’s going the right way and I’m hoping the rain comes. It may not suit a few of those top-liners, but they will still be very hard to beat – I’m a realist.”
Rocketing By | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Rocketing By also has the pedigree to instill confidence as he is a son of the winning Stratum mare Across The Moon, who was a winner and placed in the Listed Dequettevile S.
She is also the dam of the multiple Hong Kong winner Intrepic (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Riverside’s Cash (Shooting To Win), who has been successful three times.
Across The Moon is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice) and the family of the dual Group 3 winner and sire Pariah and Listed Alexandra S. winner and G1 Australian Guineas runner-up You’re So Good (NZ) (Savabeel).
