Schmidt’s speedster ready to rock Capalaba QGOLD

By Pat McLeod

Improved box manners and an ultra-consistent form line have Jason Schmidt’s speed machine Rio Will Rock perfectly positioned for a series of lucrative straight track features, starting with Sunday’s QGOLD Final at Capalaba.

In fact, the Rio Brave and August Flame chaser has missed out on a podium finish only twice in his past 16 starts, with nine of those resulting in a win.

“Yes, he is a pretty consistent dog and a very good chaser,” the Churchable-based Schmidt said. 

“He tries his heart out every week and that is all you can ask for.”

Now past the three-and-a-half-year mark, Rio Will Rock is not showing any signs of ageing and in fact is continuing to add to his skill set.

“He seems to be jumping pretty consistently of late,” Schmidt said. 

“We have done a lot of work with his box manners over the last six to 12 months trying to calm him down when the lure is working.

“He wasn't a bad box dog, but he could play up a little bit and miss it by half-a-length and a half-length at the start can cost you dearly against good dogs. He is slowly getting better with his box manners.”

Rio Will Rock may bring winning form into Sunday’s Capalaba feature.

However, the track record holder (19.17 seconds) faces a brigade of speed talent all eyeing the QGOLD riches followed by the straight track Nationals at The Q in August and the Group 2 Capalaba Cup in early October.

“You can't afford to do anything wrong on Sunday, especially in the first 20 metres,” Schmidt said. 

“(Daysea’s) Rory is probably the biggest danger because of his box speed and you know that he will finish well because he is strong.

“Often it comes down to where dogs are at the start and what those dogs are doing around your dog.

“I think Duffman (second to Daysea’s Rory in last Sunday’s heats) will also be a threat on Sunday because he is coming back and definitely on the improve.

“Oscar Bravo went well against us last week and cannot be discounted. My dog has good mid-race speed.

“After 20 metres, the next section over 150 to 200 metres is probably his best and his strength. He is really fast over that section of the race.

“Then you come down to the last 50 and that's where it gets very interesting especially with dogs like Rory around.”

Following the QGOLD race, Rio Will Rock will shift his focus to The Q Straight and The Nationals.

Although he has not raced on that surface, Schmidt is confident that he will handle the new straight track.

“The next plan is to get him cleared at The Q,” Schmidt said.

“I gave him a slip on the straight there last week and he went really well. It was a chance to get him to have a look at the lure and I was very happy. He came home strongly, which was very pleasing.

“I don't think there will be any major issues in him coming across to the Q Straight, especially with him jumping more consistently.”