The salute said it all as Rocker Band and harness racing driver Sam Ottley came flying down the outside to take the $100,000 NRM Evolve 4yo Diamond.
For her first Harness Jewels drive, Ottley produced an absolute special to manoeuvre the Rocknroll Hanover mare off the pegs coming into the back straight. It was that move that would secure Ottley her biggest victory to date.
“This is right up there with the greatest day of my life, infact I think it is the greatest day of my life” said Sam Ottley
Owned by Greg Brodie of Australia, Rocker Band took her record to a handy 9 wins and 5 minor placings from just the 24 starts.
Early speed from Miss Daisy (John Dunn) and Lusty Mac (Phil Butcher) is exactly what the Mark Jones trained mare asked for.
Todays win was Mark's first Jewels training victory.
Mark Jones said “I've trained horses for Greg for years, but i've never actually met him before. It was a great drive from Sam, she deserved a shot at it and she delieved".
Winning Time & Margin: 1-53.39MR, with a neck back to Expressive Victor (Blair Orange) in 2nd and ½ length back to favourite Democrat Party (Nathan Williamson) in 3rd.
Rocker Band