No luck for Rockstar Icon at Goodwood but Oliver Cole retains the faith that he's got a big handicap run in him
03 Aug 2024
Rockstar Icon returned to action for the first time in three months at Goodwood on Thursday following his promising reappearance run on 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket in May.
The club's three-year-old gelding got off the mark at the third attempt on New Year's Eve last year with a convincing victory at Lingfield on the all-weather. Following that performance, he was given time off to prepare for his comeback for the flat turf season, in which he put in a great display at Newmarket finishing fifth in a hot handicap contest.
However, after that race, he had a minor setback after scoping dirty (breathing issue), which meant he was on the sidelines for a short while. Trainers Paul and Oliver Cole then had the task of getting him back up to speed for his next run.
Rockstar Icon was entered in two races at Goodwood this week, and unfortunately the one that Oliver would've preferred on the Wednesday which was over seven furlongs was oversubscribed, so Rockstar Icon was balloted out and was subsequently declared to run over a mile for the first time on Thursday.
Race Review
Rockstar Icon broke well from the gates under jockey Jim Crowley, albeit from Stall 1, which meant he was more than likely to have a difficult passage at some point in the race being stuck up the inside of the far rail. As they approached the first bend, it was favourite Treasure Time for Tom Marquand who led the pack, with Rockstar Icon sitting about sixth or seventh.
He travelled nicely under Crowley for the majority of the race, but as things started to heat up as they went past the three furlong marker, Jim started to ask Rockstar Icon for more as most of the field came off the bridle. As they went past the final furlong pole, it was clear Rockstar Icon had given all that he had in the tank, at which point Jim took care of him and allowed him to come home in his own time.
The race was eventually won by Great Chieftain (SP 20/1), who is also trained by Paul & Oliver Cole, with Rockstar Icon coming home in last place (14th).
Despite it feeling like a disappointing run in terms of his finishing position, the overall experience of Rockstar Icon being at such a big event will no doubt have done him the world of good. He handled the atmosphere really well and showed no signs of immaturity at all in the parade ring which was great to see.
WATCH: Post-race interview with Jim Crowley and Oliver Cole
Latest update from trainer Oliver Cole
"Rockstar Icon has come out of his race at Goodwood well. I've given him a few days off and he will go back to training on Monday.
There will be lots of options for him over the next couple of months, so once he gets his revised mark, we will pencil in a couple of targets."
Stay tuned as we'll soon have a full raceday highlights video coming to the Coral Racing Club hub to give you an insight on all the action from the day at Glorious Goodwood.
The club's three-year-old gelding got off the mark at the third attempt on New Year's Eve last year with a convincing victory at Lingfield on the all-weather. Following that performance, he was given time off to prepare for his comeback for the flat turf season, in which he put in a great display at Newmarket finishing fifth in a hot handicap contest.
However, after that race, he had a minor setback after scoping dirty (breathing issue), which meant he was on the sidelines for a short while. Trainers Paul and Oliver Cole then had the task of getting him back up to speed for his next run.
Rockstar Icon was entered in two races at Goodwood this week, and unfortunately the one that Oliver would've preferred on the Wednesday which was over seven furlongs was oversubscribed, so Rockstar Icon was balloted out and was subsequently declared to run over a mile for the first time on Thursday.
Race Review
Rockstar Icon broke well from the gates under jockey Jim Crowley, albeit from Stall 1, which meant he was more than likely to have a difficult passage at some point in the race being stuck up the inside of the far rail. As they approached the first bend, it was favourite Treasure Time for Tom Marquand who led the pack, with Rockstar Icon sitting about sixth or seventh.
He travelled nicely under Crowley for the majority of the race, but as things started to heat up as they went past the three furlong marker, Jim started to ask Rockstar Icon for more as most of the field came off the bridle. As they went past the final furlong pole, it was clear Rockstar Icon had given all that he had in the tank, at which point Jim took care of him and allowed him to come home in his own time.
The race was eventually won by Great Chieftain (SP 20/1), who is also trained by Paul & Oliver Cole, with Rockstar Icon coming home in last place (14th).
Despite it feeling like a disappointing run in terms of his finishing position, the overall experience of Rockstar Icon being at such a big event will no doubt have done him the world of good. He handled the atmosphere really well and showed no signs of immaturity at all in the parade ring which was great to see.
WATCH: Post-race interview with Jim Crowley and Oliver Cole
Latest update from trainer Oliver Cole
"Rockstar Icon has come out of his race at Goodwood well. I've given him a few days off and he will go back to training on Monday.
There will be lots of options for him over the next couple of months, so once he gets his revised mark, we will pencil in a couple of targets."
Stay tuned as we'll soon have a full raceday highlights video coming to the Coral Racing Club hub to give you an insight on all the action from the day at Glorious Goodwood.
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