Rocket Scientist (AUS)
Rocket Scientist (AUS)
3 g Dundeel – Salutations by Redoute’s Choice
O: Pinecliff Racing (Mgr: J Munz), A Kheir, Yes Bloodstock (Mgr: B Sokolski), R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: R Legh), Lightning Restrikes (Mgr: M Hunter) & G Timmins
B: Arrowfield Stud
T: Anthony and Sam Freedman
S: 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale V: Arrowfield Stud P: Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, $850,000
W: Benalla Grocers Maiden Plate, 1406m, February 14, Benalla
Making his belated debut as a three-year-old, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Rocket Scientist (Dundeel) kicked off his racing career in stylish fashion when scoring in a 1406-metre maiden at Benalla on Tuesday.
Ridden by Damien Thornton, the gelded son of Arrowfield Stud stallion Dundeel (High Chaparral) raced towards the rear of the field throughout and momentarily found traffic problems entering the final 300 metres.
However, angled to the outside of the field by his rider, Rocket Scientist produced a nice turn of foot to storm home and beat the more experienced Capistan (Capitalist) by one and a half lengths with a further three-quarters of a length back to Segment (Overshare) in third.
“He got the short back and sides a bit at the 500 [metres] there, but he was able to gather himself and balance back up, so he was good,” Thornton said post-race.
“He feels like he’ll stay so I think that’s going to help him a lot. He’s not the sharpest of the horses but if he stays he’ll be ok.”
Bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne went to $850,000 to secure Rocket Scientist out of the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale on behalf of Jonathan Munz, in whose colours he races.
Out of the Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) mare Salutations, Rocket Scientist is a full–brother to 2019 Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Super Seth and half-brother to 2020 Theo Marks Stakes (Gr 2, 1300m) winner Wild Planet (Animal Kingdom), who was also runner-up behind crack sprinter Eduardo (Host) in the 2021 Doomben 10,000 (Gr 1, 1200m).
A full–sister to Rocket Scientist will be sold by Arrowfield Stud at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale catalogued as Lot 333.