Ideal tonic for seasoned horseman

WELL-SEASONED horseman Darren Billinger received an ideal tonic yesterday.

Struck down by Covid-19 last week, Billinger was unable to attend the Globe Derby meeting, but was thrilled to cheer from the comfort of his lounge room as he watched Rock To Success break a drought from the winners’ circle.

Driven for the initial time by Anthony Robinson, Rock To Success registered his first victory since last November.

“I was a bit ordinary at the start that’s for sure,” Billinger said. “I’m over the worst of if and now it feels like a bad cold.

“Getting the win made me feel a little better though.

“John Hill also copped it so he and I were out of action, which left Jim Smith, my wife Julie and daughter Jodie to do all the work.”

Settled behind the leader, Im Reggie, from the pole, Rock To Success was shuffled to the tail of the small field down the back straight before being angled three-wide around the final bend.

Finishing stoutly along the home stretch, the son of Pet Rock completed a three-and-a-half metre win from Plutus.

Im Reggie was a neck away third in 2:00.5 over 1800 metres.

“That was a fair run from him,” Billinger said. “He’s no superstar, lacks high speed and is a bit of a battler, but he can win a few more.

“One of his problems is he paces roughly and we can’t figure out why. He doesn’t hit anywhere, I’ve had the vet, chiro and everything go over him to find out why but I just cant put our finger on it.

“If he can start pacing smoother it’ll help as he gets up in grade.”