By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The gutsy little pacer who could easily have died at Albion Park on January 5, 2021, has now more than repaid the $20,000 and the endless love it took to keep him alive.
Seven-year-old A Rocknroll Dance gelding, Rollonx, should never have seen past four after falling heavily on the home turn in a 1,660m trial. He was having his first start for trainer, Stephen Benham, after the Caboolture trainer had previously won two races with him early in his career.
“We’ve always loved him and were sad that the previous owner passed him on to Brian McCall at Churchable. Brian does a great job, but we loved that horse, and always will. Rollonx ran his fastest mile (1:56.5) when he was with us the first time,” Benham said.
That personal best time was recorded at Albion Park on September 2, 2019, when driven by Nathan Dawson. Australia’s champion driver was also in the sulky that fateful day at ‘The Creek’ in early 2021.
“It was just good luck and loyalty that we now have Rollonx back in our stable. His new owner, Grame Teale, approached my brother (Mick) and I in late 2020 to see if we wanted to train Rollonx again. We didn’t hesitate because we knew the potential he had.
“We were also grateful to Graeme for giving us another chance with a horse we loved. Then disaster struck at his first trial,” Benham said.
Nicely poised in the two-out position Rollonx crashed to the ground at the 200m leaving an uninjured Dawson to care for what, at the time, looked to be a lost cause.
“His legs were a mess. He didn’t look good. You could see bones protruding through his skin. His knees were shredded and damaged, and there was a bit of blood. I thought that was the end of him, until vet Mark McGarry cleaned him up. Graeme loved the horse as much as we did and made a decision then and there to keep him alive.
“We took him home and Janette (wife) treated him like a baby right up until 1am the next morning. His legs were badly damaged and needed a long time in plaster. We cared for him around the clock, while he was plastered (see photo) for six months. He was boxed, then yarded and we cared for him like a child for more than a year. We had the vet to him every single week for six months,” Benham said.
“He was out for nearly six months, and didn’t race again until May 2021 when he finished third at Redcliffe. He took a lot of looking after,” he added.
Rollonx’s Morayfield owner, Teale, said he had no hesitation paying the $20,000 to keep his pride and joy alive.
“I’ve been a trotting man for more than 30 years and I’ve never had a horse like this little fella. I’m just so glad he came up for sale again. He makes my day. I love and care for him as much as the Benhams do. Steve’s brother Mike has also done a good job with him. He’s a quality trainer, and the brothers work well together. That’s why I took the horse back to them,” Teale said.
The 62-year-old, who works in the motor industry, was overwhelmed when the Mick Benham trained and Angus Garrad driven Rollonx won race eight at Redcliffe Paceway last Wednesday (March 6).
“That was 16th win, and 13th with the Benhams. He’s just such a lovely, tough, wee, horse who never gives in. If anyone knows how to pull through tough times it’s this wee fellow. He shows us that in his races, despite having arthritis,” said Teale.
Teale’s faith in Rollonx and the Benhams has proved to be spot on. As well as 13 more wins in the Benham colours, Rollonx has also recorded an astounding 31 placings since his life-threatening accident. All up Rollonx has now amassed 16 wins from 125 starts. he’s also placed 32 times and banked $75,667 in purses.
Both Benham and Teale admitted not everyone loved Rollonx.
“He’s a full-of-himself, angry little horse at times. ‘A smart arse’. In fact, he’s got a bit of a reputation on race-day. No-one wants to be boxed by him. In fact, a lot of trainers, who are boxed beside us often say, ‘oh no not that little s..t’. He’s just an arrogant horse who knows he’s good.
“He’s been through a lot and perhaps that is why he’s hard to get from his paddock. He will bite and jump at you, as quick as he would look at you. But we all love him, and we love the way Angus (Garrad) gets on with him as well,” Benham said.
“I agree, Angus has been the making of the horse. He’s won eight races behind him. They get on like a house on fire. I predict that in five years, Angus will be Australia’s number one driver. He’s just so talented,” added Teale.
Rollonx won from gate the awkward five draw last Wednesday night, winning easily by 7.8 metres with a 1:59.6-mile rate. He will line up again on Thursday (March 14) from gate seven in race five at 3.47pm.
