LIFE is starting to get very busy but in an exciting way for respected Victorian trainer-driver Mick Stanley.
On the horizon is a possible Group 1 Queensland raid with his buzzing star Rock N Roll Doo.
At the same time, Stanley is nursing the best horse he’s ever had anything to do with, Soho Tribeca, towards an unexpected and unlikely comeback after more than three years on the sidelines.
Stanley has made it clear Rock N Roll Doo will only head north if he is assured of a start in the $305,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park on July 9.
“We’re not chasing a start … they either want him or they don’t,” Stanley said.
“He’s right up there in the betting markets and he’s shown he’s a pretty special talent, so I’d like to think he'd get into a race like that.”
Rock N Roll Doo resumed with an effortless Melton win last Saturday week and has another chance to impress, albeit in a harder and very different race at the same track again on Saturday night.
“I put him in the free-for-all because he’d have drawn poorly in the restricted race and it was over a sprint trip, too,” Stanley said.
“It’s certainly a step-up for him and it’s a new challenge drawing the pole where he’ll need to get out quickly.
“But it’s not a must-win in our eyes. If he can hold the front then great, but if he’s headed-off and hits the line well late, then so bet it.
“He’s still a bit of a work in progress, but when the penny drops you’ll see a pretty special horse I think.”
Picture: Soho Tribeca is nearing an extraordinary comeback after three years off the scene.
Soho Tribeca was already a ”pretty special horse” when injury cut him down in his prime during a Queensland raid four years ago.
He’d already won 21 races, banked over $1.1 million and run one of the biggest races you’d ever see for third in a record-breaking Miracle Mile of 2018.
Since then, the now eight-year-old Soho Tribeca has stood a couple of seasons at stud and been nursed back to give racing another shot by Stanley.
“So far, so good,” Stanley said. “He had a trial at Maryborough last Sunday and it was ideal because it was just with another of my horses. They really just dashed home the last 800m (in 54.9sec) and he did it easily.
“Most importantly, he had a good a blow as you’d expect after so long out and he came through it in great order.”
Soho Tribeca will trial more seriously at Melton on Monday night.
“Then I’d say he'll have another trial or two before we pick out a race for him,” Stanley said.
“Of course, the fact we’ve got the Inter Dominion in Victoria later is part of the lure of bringing him back, but that’s a long way off.
“There’s not much depth in our free-for-alls here (Victoria) and even if he only comes back at 80-90 per cent of his best, he’s going to win his share of them.
“Time will tell if he can keep getting better and better and be a feature race horse again, but the signs are really encouraging so far.”
Rock N Roll Doo winning the Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle with driver Luke McCarthy in February. Picture: Club Menangle
- Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
