Johnny Rocker with a bright future for Lockwood stable

By Jordan Gerrans

Barry Lockwood thinks he has unearthed a progressive colt following the smart debut of youngster Johnny Rocker last week at Caloundra.

After a dominant performance in his only public trial, the son of Jukebox followed up with an impressive first-start appearance on race day, winning by a length on the Polytrack.

Kiwi hoop Samantha Collett rode him in his only Gold Coast trial and was on board for the debut victory.

Experienced Eagle Farm-based trainer Lockwood has been pleased with his two-year-old’s progression since he first arrived at his stable.

“He is an improving little colt,” Lockwood said.

“He was like a little horse from pony club for a while, but he had a jump-out and then a trial and he has just kept improving.

“We will give him a chance to step up in the next couple of weeks. He will have a try here at Eagle Farm or at Ipswich on their Cup day out there the week after.

“It is always a big day out at Ipswich for their Cup.”

Johnny Rocker ended up with the Lockwood team after the veteran conditioner picked up former South Australian galloper Scissorhands, with the half-siblings having a similar ownership group.

After starting her career with Adelaide trainer Will Clarken, Scissorhands quickly picked up a maiden victory under the guidance of Lockwood and he has done the same with her half-brother.

Both are out of Margene, with Scissorhands having had four starts this year following a lengthy spell.

“She will win one or two more this year,” Lockwood said.

With the TAB Queensland Racing Carnival in full swing, plenty of interstate and international gallopers are in Brisbane for the feature events and are housing their gallopers at Lockwood’s yard.

The trainer thinks his colt will get more ground than the 1000 metres he won over last week.

“Yes, I do think he is progressive. I think he is probably a six or seven-furlong horse,” Lockwood said.

The Lockwood stable has also has up a new acquisition in their riding ranks, with the 22-year-old Ty Wheeler transferring his apprenticeship to Eagle Farm.

Wheeler had previously worked under Corey and Kylie Geran on the Darling Downs.

He has now been in Brisbane for a couple of months and his new boss says Wheeler will soon pick up some of the stable’s rides on the provincial circuit.

“He is improving. It is different when you come to town after riding out at the country tracks, more thought process needs to go into the riding,” Lockwood said.

“We are drumming it into him.

“It is just a different style of riding in the city and provincial racing compared to the country racing.

“He is going well.”