Rocknavar on Group 1 mission

IMPROVING filly Rocknavar has thrived in Sydney after last week’s unlucky run and Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn is growing in confidence he and jockey Jason Collett can land their first Group 1 wins.

Rocknavar came from last to be eighth, beaten about two lengths, in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday.

She received several checks in the final 200m and there is little doubt she should have finished a lot closer to the winner Aliferous.

Bookmakers have ignored the run and Rocknavar has been posted a $51 chance for the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) – a quote that has Dunn bemused.

Dunn had considered pulling up stumps and returning to his Murwillumbah base with the Group 1 Queensland Oaks in mind.

“But she has done so well we have elected to keep her in Sydney,” Dunn said.

“We weighed her and she has actually put on two kilos since last Saturday. She is a tough thing and just keeps improving.”

He said the further the races went the better Rocknavar would get.

Dunn has had nearly 700 winners since returning to training seven years ago while Collett has ridden nearly 900 winners but neither has broken the Group 1 duck.