Sprinter ready to Rock

HOME-TRACK advantage and the services of the world’s number one jockey, Hugh Bowman, have trainer Gary Portelli predicting a vastly improved showing from barnstorming sprinter I Can Rock in today’s ATC TAB Handicap (1000m).

The seven-year-old son of Fastnet Rock was never a factor first-up at Randwick on New Year’s Day, finishing with only one behind him.

Even so, Portelli is warning punters not to be too harsh on this otherwise consistent gelding, who has won or been runner-up at half of his eight second-up outings.

“He stumbled out of the barriers and got a check once he hit the ground,’’ Portelli said. “They ran home in 33 something up front. His run was OK.

“If you tore the race apart and looked at his sectionals, then it doesn’t read that bad.”

I Can Rock has raced at his home track at Warwick Farm six times before today for a win and three placings, two of those seconds.

“He saves some of his best runs for the Farm, particularly when there is good speed on,’’ Portelli said. “More so over 1100m when he can come off their backs if the others have gone too hard, but I am not sure he is going to get that luxury (today).”