Rogie that

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Roger That (Sweet Lou) who was bred and sold by galloping legend Graeme Rogerson, took out Group One harness racing honours at Ascot Park today in the closest of finishes.

It took what seemed ages for the judge to make his call in the $100,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Two Year Old Classic, but in the end Roger That got the decision by a nose over a very brave Chiggsy.

“Commiserations to the second horse because he went enormous. We might not have been the best effort but we were the winner and sometimes that’s how racing works. I was right down the end watching with Clark Barron from head on. When the commentator watched the replay and he couldn’t tell, I thought ‘that’s serious’ (laughter),” said Cran Dalgety who trains the gelding with his wife Chrissie.

The race sparked up early when second favourite Chiggsy who had drawn on the outside of Roger That, had a look at the lead.

“It was a situation where he had to chance his arm and have a go for the front. Our horse might not be known as a speed horse when getting to the front, but we were fortunate to get to the rail first and going into the first bend it’s such an advantage.”

Once driver Carter Dalgety and Roger That got to the top, Chiggsy was left parked.

At the finish Roger That had a nose to spare on Chiggsy. Travel Agent who broke going into the first bend, ran home well for third, three quarters of a length back. Patriot was  half a length back in fourth, so just over a length and a half covered the first four.

“It’s more of a relief than a thrill. The thrill comes later. Just because it had that G1 beside it - that’s the thrill. Everyone loves those G1’s. Graeme bred him, sold him and kept a slice of him. It’s good to have a thoroughbred counterpart in the ownership. He’ll be buzzing. He’s won Melbourne Cups and Cox Plates. I think he’ll be happy with this because juvenile racing is fun.”

Dalgety said Roger That wasn’t easy to be around as a young horse.

“When he was a colt he was (!!! – difficult) and when we gelded him he turned into a lamb. The ultimate gear change. When we broke him in he wasn’t a star and didn’t want to do anything you wanted him to do. He didn’t do anything extra. We just lifted the workload in our two year old programme and he kept handling it.”

While benchmark two year old Tour Party who is also trained by the Dalgetys is out spelling, Roger That is tlking his opportunities to get his own runs on the board.

“They’re two totally different horses. This one’s a big sleepy horse, he’s laid back and not ambitious. The other fella is a speed merchant.”

Roger That’s next target is likely to be the Welcome Stakes on the 22^nd May.

“While he’s up and going and hot, we might as well keep going for that.”