Raceday LIVE – Rockstar Icon
Lingfield,
Sun 31 Dec 2023 12:54
Related horse(s):
Rockstar Icon
Rockstar Icon makes his return to the track today for the Coral Racing Club in the 12:54 EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) over seven furlongs at Lingfield.
Read our Raceday LIVE preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and our lucky owners for the day across our social channels.
X (TWITTER) – @coral
INSTAGRAM – @coralofficial
Raceday LIVE Preview
Rockstar Icon hasn't been seen on the track since he finished a very promising second place in a decent Class 2 Novice contest at Haydock in June. That was just his second run for the club as well, so we were really pleased to see him take a big leap forward from his debut race.
He's been on the sidelines following a couple injury setbacks, including a hairline fracture in his shin which happened towards the end of July. Following his recovery to that, the Cole team decided to have him gelded which also added a few weeks to the recovery timeline.
The Cole team have been keen to not rush Rockstar Icon during any of his rehabilitation as he has plenty of confidence in his ability, and they want to make sure he'll be as close to 100% as he can get him at home before returning to the track.
Rockstar Icon on the gallops at Whatcombe Racing
Raceday message from Paul & Oliver Cole
It was obviously never the plan that Rockstar Icon would be off the track for six months, he ran such a good race at Haydock that day in June that we were very excited about giving him his third run, but he just had a series of small setbacks that have combined to keep him out of action. We also had him gelded in that time, so at least we took that opportunity.
We were always keen to give him another run as a 2-year-old, and as all racehorses turn 3 on January 1st, we have managed to do that on the very last day possible! He’s been in good form at home in recent weeks, it was just a case of us getting him as fit as we could, and we’re really happy with how he is, although there’s never any substitute for race fitness.
The Lingfield race looks a good opportunity for him to take his next step, although it’s a shame he’s been drawn widest of all in stall 12, as that won’t make his task any easier. However, David Probert is an experienced jockey who will know how best to ride him from that draw. He’s a horse we really do like, and while it’s exciting to have him back on track here, he’s also a horse we think has a very bright future in 2024.
Prize money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,600 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,564 for their lucky owners.
2nd place: £1,673 | 3rd place: £836 | 4th place: £418
As part of the Owner for the Day competitions we launch here on the Coral Racing Club website once one of the club's horses has been entered in a race, each of the 10 lucky winners who get the chance to attend as an owner also get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won.
Trainer and jockey form
As to be expected at this time of year, Paul and Oliver Cole have been relatively quiet with there only being a scattering of all-weather meetings on the flat recently. In the last eleven days they've had three runners, of which Maverick Style has been the only winner, scoring at Chelmsford over seven furlongs.
David Probert takes the reins for the first time today, and he comes to Lingfield today having been off the track since the December 6th.
Racing Post Spotlight Comment on Rockstar Icon
Haydock 2nd in June sets the standard; gelded since; drawn wide but still has more to come.
Divine Breath needs a market check on debut but ROCKSTAR ICON may be able to make a winning return despite the widest stall.
Today's opposition
Read our Raceday LIVE preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and our lucky owners for the day across our social channels.
X (TWITTER) – @coral
INSTAGRAM – @coralofficial
Raceday LIVE Preview
Rockstar Icon hasn't been seen on the track since he finished a very promising second place in a decent Class 2 Novice contest at Haydock in June. That was just his second run for the club as well, so we were really pleased to see him take a big leap forward from his debut race.
He's been on the sidelines following a couple injury setbacks, including a hairline fracture in his shin which happened towards the end of July. Following his recovery to that, the Cole team decided to have him gelded which also added a few weeks to the recovery timeline.
The Cole team have been keen to not rush Rockstar Icon during any of his rehabilitation as he has plenty of confidence in his ability, and they want to make sure he'll be as close to 100% as he can get him at home before returning to the track.
Rockstar Icon on the gallops at Whatcombe Racing
Raceday message from Paul & Oliver Cole
It was obviously never the plan that Rockstar Icon would be off the track for six months, he ran such a good race at Haydock that day in June that we were very excited about giving him his third run, but he just had a series of small setbacks that have combined to keep him out of action. We also had him gelded in that time, so at least we took that opportunity.
We were always keen to give him another run as a 2-year-old, and as all racehorses turn 3 on January 1st, we have managed to do that on the very last day possible! He’s been in good form at home in recent weeks, it was just a case of us getting him as fit as we could, and we’re really happy with how he is, although there’s never any substitute for race fitness.
The Lingfield race looks a good opportunity for him to take his next step, although it’s a shame he’s been drawn widest of all in stall 12, as that won’t make his task any easier. However, David Probert is an experienced jockey who will know how best to ride him from that draw. He’s a horse we really do like, and while it’s exciting to have him back on track here, he’s also a horse we think has a very bright future in 2024.
Prize money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,600 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,564 for their lucky owners.
2nd place: £1,673 | 3rd place: £836 | 4th place: £418
As part of the Owner for the Day competitions we launch here on the Coral Racing Club website once one of the club's horses has been entered in a race, each of the 10 lucky winners who get the chance to attend as an owner also get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won.
Trainer and jockey form
As to be expected at this time of year, Paul and Oliver Cole have been relatively quiet with there only being a scattering of all-weather meetings on the flat recently. In the last eleven days they've had three runners, of which Maverick Style has been the only winner, scoring at Chelmsford over seven furlongs.
David Probert takes the reins for the first time today, and he comes to Lingfield today having been off the track since the December 6th.
Racing Post Spotlight Comment on Rockstar Icon
Haydock 2nd in June sets the standard; gelded since; drawn wide but still has more to come.
Divine Breath needs a market check on debut but ROCKSTAR ICON may be able to make a winning return despite the widest stall.
Today's opposition
- Rey De La Batalla is the highest rated horse in the race (of three with handicap marks) and finished third of ten in his debut here over course and distance. He was most recently seen finishing fourth in a Class 4 contest at Kempton two weeks ago and has solid claims in today's race.
- Different Breed finished second in back-to-back outings earlier this year before finishing a good third last time out over seven furlongs. Apprentice jockey William Carver rides him today and takes a further three pounds off his back.
- Pretence is the only former winner in the field. He scored on his last outing for Kevin Coleman before moving to Hugo Palmer's yard. Tom Marquand is a positive jockey booking for connections today.
12:54 LINGFIELD – LATEST BETTING HERE
Did you know?
Rockstar Icon joined the club back in April with trainers Paul & Oliver Cole as an unnamed racehorse, so we put the power in our Coral Racing Club members' hands to suggest a name for him via a competition, with the winning prize including an Ultimate Owner for the Day experience for his debut run, including travel and accommodation.
The competition was won by John from Hampshire.
Thanks for reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 12:54 to watch Rockstar Icon's next run for the club.
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