Jockey Dwayne Dunn has a strong book of rides at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday including partnering the favourite He’s Our Rokkii in the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate qualifier – the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes.  

Winner of last year’s Toorak Handicap over the Caulfield mile, the Lindsay Park-trained He’s Our Rokkii chases his first victory since lining-up in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m).  

The Roc De Cambes gelding is second-up in the weight-for-age clash following a fast-finishing fourth behind Hartnell in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 19.  

Dunn retains the ride on Saturday and is confident the five-year-old has improvement in him.  

“He ran terrific last start, he got really close to [third-placed] Black Heart Bart,” Dunn told Racing Victoria this week. 

“He couldn’t have got within three – four lengths of him last year, so he’s taken nice steps forward.” 

It may have been a while between drinks for He’s Our Rokkii, but the bookmakers are taking no chances with the horse sitting clear favourite in Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au. 

After being found as long as $4.20 earlier in the week, a favourable inside barrier one draw has seen the money come for the top fancy and the latest Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes odds have the galloper at $3.50 to break his winning drought.  

That is despite the fact that He’s Our Rokkii has had only one previous run at the notoriously tight Moonee Valley track when sixth in the 2015 Stutt Stakes.  

Dunn knows that the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes is an important early feature on the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival as it is a qualifying race for the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) back at the track on October 28.  

“It’s an important race, a qualifying event for a Cox Plate,” he said.  

He’s Our Rokkii holds a Cox Plate 2017 nomination, but is only rated a $101 roughie in markets at the race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au with the dual champion Winx at $1.50 to secure her third victory and join Kingston Town in the history books.  

Dunn thinks that despite being as yet untested over further than 2000m, He’s Our Rokkii could shape-up as a genuine stayer this campaign opening up a possible October 21 in the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m). 

“He looks a lot better this time. He was a bit flat last prep,” Dunn said. 

“His condition looks fantastic.  

“Hopefully David [Hayes] will get him out to a trip he really likes. It’d be nice to get him towards 2400m at some stage this preparation. 

“he ran terrific first-up 1400m, and now I’m looking forward to Saturday’s event.”  

Dunn rode Tawqeet to victory in the 2006 Caulfield Cup for David Hayes, who now trains in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig under the Lindsay Park banner.  

Futures Caulfield Cup betting has He’s Our Rokkii installed at an all-in price of $51.  

To back He’s Our Rokkii this Saturday in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes 2017 and to access all the best upcoming futures betting markets head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.  

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