There were three smart debut winners taking each other on in the juvenile event at Randwick on Boxing Day and at the post it was the least fancied of the trio in Rocket Tiger, who was too good for the fillies Vandoula Lass and Vianello.
Retained to race by his breeder, Rocket Tiger is trained at Wagga by Scott Spackman, who produced the son of Cluster for a narrow win at his first start in Canberra on December 13.
On paper, this 1100m scamper looked a lot tougher test, but Rocket Tiger rose to the challenge.
Partnered by Kathy O’Hara, Rocket Tiger stalked Magic Millions hopeful Vandoula Lass throughout and had the fillies measure in winning by a long head.
"I'm just so proud of this little horse. This is my first city winner. I'm just rapt," Spackman said.
"I said to Kath before the race, he is the type of horse who, if he gets his head in front, he doesn't like anything going past him and he's done it today."
"He is the best horse I've had ever."
With two wins in as many starts, Rocket Tiger has banked $70,000 in prizemoney and Spackman will now aim a bit higher with his stable star.
"He will go for a quick little break now and I'll speak to the owner, but we've probably got a Black Opal or a Wellington Boot (in mind)," Spackman said.
"But God, they're talking a Slipper chance here too and we've knocked them off so I don't know. The world is his oyster."
Rocket Tiger is the ninth winner from 10 foals to race from great producer Takook, who has a yearling filly by Cluster and had a colt this spring by another of the Larneuk Stud sires in O’Lonhro.
A Group II winning son of Fastnet Rock, Cluster stands at Larneuk Stud at a fee of $5,500. He also had a winner at Tumut on Saturday and Spinola Bay was a close second at Morphettville.
