Rockinwithattitude locked in for return The Great Square bout

By Jordan Gerrans

Star square gaiter Rockinwithattitude is already a Group 1 champion in Victoria and New South Wales and horseman David Miles is keen to add Queensland to that list later in 2024.

The Victorian trainer and driver will again head north to the Sunshine State for the Queensland Constellations carnival after accepting an invite into the $150,000 Group 1 Haras Des Trotteurs The Great Square.

Last year as a three-year-old, Rockinwithattitude finished fourth in the elite level trotting race for juveniles with London To A Brick claiming the honours for trainer and driver James Rattray.

Defending champion London To A Brick joins Rockinwithattitude as the latest invite acceptor alongside local hopeful Not As Promised.

Rockinwithattitude is enjoying a long spell after her victory in the Victorian Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old trotting fillies late last year.

The Monegeetta-based Miles is hopeful Rockinwithattitude will come back bigger and better this upcoming preparation and she can topple London To A Brick in their return bout at Albion Park.

“The Great Square suits her for the year being restricted to three and four-year-olds,” the trainer and driver said.

“Hopefully she is a bit stronger than last year where we just went under in this race.

“Obviously it is not going to be an easy task with the local champion trotter Not As Promised. She is going to have an advantage in the barrier draw over Not As Promised.

“It will be interesting to see how many trotters come from Victoria and New South Wales as three-year-olds.”

Rockinwithattitude is already a four-time Group 1 champion in southern states, splitting two each in Victoria and NSW during her sparkling juvenile career through her two and three-year-old campaigns.

After finishing fourth in The Great Square during the 2023 Queensland carnival, Rockinwithattitude went on to win the Oaks and Derby for the trotters, which were both run at Group 3 level at Albion Park.

The mare has banked more than $330,000 in career earnings so far in 26 career starts.

Miles described her performance in the Victorian Breeders Crown Final as almost her run of the season before she headed to the paddock for a long break.

Racing Queensland's Senior Racing Manager for Harness David Brick is pleased to see quality runners being locked in for The Great Square ahead of its second iteration.

“The 2024 Queensland Constellations continues to attract some of Australian harness racing’s biggest names,” Brick said. 

“The excitement continues to build for this Group 1 race and the confirmation of local star Not As Promised, defending champion London To A Brick and Rockinwithattitude will only serve to build the anticipation. 

“We are expecting a high-quality race at Albion Park and we look forward to unveiling further acceptances as we draw closer to the event.”

Rockinwithattitude is likely to feature in The Stellar Square for three and four-year-olds seven days before The Great Square.

And, she will remain in Queensland for the Group 1 Queensland Trotters Cup on Blacks A Fake night.

“Our gate speed is huge and she should be able to put herself in The Great Square,” Miles said.

“She is likely to go to the lead-up race the week before, which we will probably target, and then we could stay around for the $100,000 race at the end of the carnival, as well.”

Rockinwithattitude is likely to return to the races in the middle of June for her first-up run before heading north.

Miles stays with local trainer Shawn Grimsey when in Queensland and says he will likely come up with two promising fillies alongside Rockinwithattitude for the carnival.

The Graham Dwyer-prepared Not As Promised had his first public appearance on Tuesday of last week at the trials since his stunning 2023 campaign.

The Great Square for three and four-year-olds carries a $25,000 bonus if the race is won by a three-year-old. 

Under the conditions of the race, Racing Queensland and Albion Park Harness Racing Club officials can invite eight horses to the race including two three-year-olds and the first Queensland-trained horse home in The Stellar Square.

The balance of the field will then be made up from the nominations.

Throughout the Queensland Constellations, more than $4 million in prize money and bonuses will go on the line throughout five action-packed weeks of harness racing, including eight Group 1s and seven feature race nights.

Click here for more information on the Queensland Constellations.