by Mark McKelvie for WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Rockin In Heaven made a name for himself last year as a surprising Grand Circuit competitor and Sunday (May 15) he will look to continue making a mark in the C$244,000 Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs.

The Dr. Ian Moore trainee will make the third start of his 4-year-old season on Sunday (May 15) after earning more than C$367,000 last season as a sophomore.

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Rockin In Heaven and Trevor Henry winning on Saturday (May 7) at Mohawk Raceway.

Rockin In Heaven was not on many, if any, radars to be a Grand Circuit level colt last year and his conditioner is not shy to admit even he was caught off guard by his trainee’s breakout season.

“As I stated last year, he has been one of the most pleasant, surprising horses I’ve ever had in my entire life,” said Dr. Moore, Thursday afternoon (May 12). “How he went from a 2-year-old that was so-so to a nice stakes horse last year, hopefully he will become a nice 4-year-old this year.”

The journey to a nice 4-year-old season has certainly started off well for the son of Rock N Roll Heaven. Rockin In Heaven finished a close fourth in his season debut on Saturday (April 30) and followed it up with an impressive 1:50.1 victory last Saturday (May 7) at Mohawk Racetrack.

The Dr. Moore trainee will now tackle his first stakes engagement of the season Sunday (May 15) and will be forced to overcome the tough starting spot of post position seven.

“He’s really feeling good and all that sort of thing,” Moore said. “It’s really a shame that we drew so bad, which as everybody knows is very important in a half-mile track race of that caliber or any caliber.”

Rockin In Heaven, who is 7-1 on the morning line, is no stranger to stepping up in big moments.

He was an 11-1 upset winner in a division of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes last June at Mohawk and a few months later, at the exact same price, won the $290,000 Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs.

Rockin In Heaven spent most of last summer on the New York Sires Stakes circuit, becoming well adjusted to racing on a half-mile track. Sunday’s (May 15) Confederation Cup will put him against some familiar faces from his Empire State battles.

“There is a lot of New York horses in there that he raced against, including National Seelster and Americanprimetime,” said Moore. “So they are all good half-mile horses.”

Dr. Moore is confident his driver, who is very familiar with Ontario’s half-mile tracks, gives Rockin In Heaven a bit of an added boost in Sunday’s (May 15) dash.

“Trevor (Henry) is well-versed on a half-mile track, so I’m glad we have Trevor to drive,” said Moore. “He got along very well with him last year and we are looking forward to Sunday.”

Henry and Rockin In Heaven have teamed up on 13 occasions and visited the winner’s circle in six of those starts.

Dr. Moore will leave the strategy up to his driver on Sunday, but with heavy-favourite Wiggle It Jiggleit starting from the second-tier, the start and first-turn at Flamboro could be interesting.

“Our horse has raced at Flamboro as a 2-year-old and he finished his 2-year-old season there,” noted Moore. “I presume there will be a bit of a mad dash (at the start).”

Dr. Moore co-owns the 4-year-old with Douglas Polley, Francois Lecomte and Gordon McComb. Rockin In Heaven is entering the Confederation Cup less than C$2,000 away from C$400,000 in career earnings.

Whether Rockin In Heaven is able to stun his rivals on Sunday (May 15), Moore knows his pleasant surprise will certainly give him and his co-owners a great effort.

“He’s a very tough animal. He’s always up to the task and no matter what he always gives us his best.”