Rocket Racer relived

Perth Turf Talk | Video | Sat 13 April, 2013

Rocket Racer, winner of the 1987 Perth Cup, has always been the subject to much controversy. Those not there to experience the day have always been left to wonder, however now videos have surfaced on YouTube detailing the whole incident.

1987 Perth Cup

After the Cup

RACING abounds with urban myths and one of the most popular over the past 20 years or so concerns the controversial win of Rocket Racer in the 1987 Perth Cup.

The scenes at Ascot racecourse on that New Year's Day were extraordinary and highlighted a period when Perth racing was known as the "wild, wild West".

Rocket Racer was owned by the late business entrepreneur Laurie Connell, as colourful an identity, both on and off the track, as has come out of the West.

Connell maintained an almost swashbuckling image despite allegations of being involved in various racing scandals, including one, over which he was disqualified for two years, involving a betting "sting" when a broadcast of a race from Melbourne was delayed at a Perth radio station while punters, including Connell, got on the winner of a Kalgoorlie race.

In the 1980s, Connell, who had then taken over Rothwells merchant bank, was regularly investing $100,000 or more on his own horses. He had Buster O'Malley and George Way, an even more colourful character, as his trainers. It was O'Malley who prepared Rocket Racer for the cup.

Connell reportedly had the horse, who started 2-1 favourite, running for at least $500,000, as well as the $210,000 first prizemoney.

Rocket Racer was ridden by John Miller, one of the best riders to come out of the West, and although he usually rode at about 54 kilograms, he got down to 48 for the Perth Cup. With Miller merely steering, Rocket Racer led all the way to win by nine lengths in near-record time for the 3200 metres.

As Miller and Rocket Racer returned to scale, they were both near collapse, Miller because of his weakened state due to wasting, while the reasons for Rocket Racer's condition were considered far more sinister.

The use of "Elephant Juice", or etorphine, to use its proper name, had been detected in Perth at the time. In fact, one of Connell's horses, trained by Way, had tested positive to the drug a few weeks earlier, which led to a long disqualification for the trainer.

As Rocket Racer staggered around the mounting yard, then chief steward John Mahoney ordered he be taken directly to his stall for emergency treatment. I was one of those on hand who helped assist the stayer.

Rocket Racer was given a saline drench and was considered too ill to be swabbed so it was never discovered if any illegal substance had been administered. Meanwhile, Connell "shouted" the members' deck in the grandstand free drinks for the rest of the afternoon and the party continued into the night at his restaurant, the Mediterranean, one of the most fashionable in Perth at that time.

This is where the urban myth kicks in. Popular belief was that Rocket Racer never raced again after the Perth Cup. In fact, he ran again nearly four weeks later, finishing fourth in the Queen's Cup won by Travel Light.

It was after that race that Rocket Racer, while spelling, died in unknown circumstances.

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