Wagga trainer Gary Colvin is celebrating a drought-breaking win for Rocksham at the Tumut Building Supplies Benchmark 55 Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.
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There was no stopping Rocksham – he led comfortably from the gates and finished more than two lengths ahead of the field to claim his first win since May.
“He dashed away at the turn and left them running off their legs,” Colvin said.
He praised apprentice Chelsea MacFarlane on her second winning run for the day.
Earlier in the afternoon MacFarlane took out the Elliotts Landscape Supplies Class 2 Handicap (1400m) on Doogan's Destiny for trainer Steve Cunningham (above).
“She’s very good,” he said.
“She tried to ease him down but it was no good trying to hold him up, she just let him run.”
Rocksham started as a $3 favourite, carrying 58kg (after MacFarlane’s claim) and was followed by She’s Kidding ($3.20) and Wagga trainer Chris Heywood’s The Flash One ($6).
Colvin was relieved to see Rocksham bring home the blue ribbon in his fourth start since a 20-week spell.
“It usually takes a couple of runs before he comes good,” he said.
“It was a good win get his confidence back.
“He has a few issues with his joints, we can’t lead him too hard.
“Now he’s reached peak fitness hopefully he’ll have a couple of fun runs.”
Since June, it has been a rocky road for the six year-old gelding.
According to Colvin, wet conditions hampered his form in winter and injury prevented him from returning to the track.
Colvin’s confident Rocksham will have more luck now the tracks have dried out.
In his prime in 2014, Rocksham had success in a higher class.
Colvin admitted a modest approach has paid off, and he isn’t isn’t getting ahead of himself.
He plans on being conservative with Rocksham in the upcoming months.
“It’s just a little win at Tumut, he’s not going to be winning any championship races,” he said.
“I’ve just got to pick his races from now on.”
Colvin will be training Rocksham for his next race at Wagga on February 6.
He has the facilities to ensure Rocksham isn’t over-burdened with an intense program – a pool and a treadmill – and plans on using them.
“He has a few injuries,” he said.
“I can’t work him as hard as I’d like to, I have to look after him a bit.”
Earlier in the program Shadow Wings scored its first win for Wagga trainer Joe Price.
The mare broke through at start 13 with two of its three placings also coming this preparation