Rocket Racer won the 1987 Perth Cup by a staggering nine lengths but died suddenly only a few weeks later

Racing has had many colourful identities over the years. One of the most famous was Laurie "Last Resort" Connell, a successful businessman, merchant banker and thoroughbred owner of the 1970 and 1980s. But this story involves two basic human characteristics - greed and dishonesty. Connell maintained an almost swashbuckling image despite allegations of being involved in various racing scandals, including one, over which he was disqualified for two years, involving a betting "sting" when a broadcast of a race from Melbourne was delayed at a Perth radio station while punters, including Connell, got on the winner of a Kalgoorlie race. In 1975 it became known as the ‘Kalgoorlie Sting’ as confused bookmakers allowed him to place a bet on the race after it was finished and the outcome had been determined.

In the 1980s, Connell, who had then taken over Rothwells merchant bank, was regularly investing $100,000 or more on his own horses. He had Buster O'Malley and George Way, an even more colourful character, as his trainers. It was O'Malley who prepared Rocket Racer for the cup. Rocket Racer, foaled in 1982 was a chesnut stallion by the sire Balmerino. His dam was Belotta. He was ridden by John Miller, one of the best riders to come out of the West, and although he usually rode at about 54 kilograms, he got down to 48 for the 3200m Perth Cup. Connell reportedly had the horse, who started 2-1 favourite, running for at least $500,000 in bets, as well as the $210,000 first prizemoney.

In the 1987 Perth Cup, Connell’s Rocket Racer won by nine lengths, charged past the line and couldn’t be pulled up. As Miller and Rocket Racer returned to scale they were both near collapse; Miller because of his weakened state due to wasting, while the reasons for Rocket Racer's condition were considered far more sinister. When the horse and jockey eventually returned to the mounting yard, he was given a saline drench and considered too ill to be swabbed. The horse collapsed and died a month later after having only one more start. It was assumed that the horse had been injected with etorphine or ‘elephant juice’ which was a popular, but illegal doping substance being used with horses at the time. Rocket Racer has always been the subject to much controversy from that day. Those not there to experience the day have always been left to wonder. However now video has surfaced on YouTube detailing the whole incident and the horse in great distress after the race, refusing to walk for the strapper and thrashing his head in a highly agitated state.

Meanwhile, Connell "shouted" the members' deck in the grandstand free drinks for the rest of the afternoon and the party continued into the night at his restaurant, the Mediterranean, one of the most fashionable in Perth at that time. This is where the urban myth kicks in. Popular belief was that Rocket Racer never raced again after the Perth Cup. In fact, he ran again nearly four weeks later, finishing fourth in the Queen's Cup won by Travel Light. It was after that race that Rocket Racer, while spelling in the paddock, died in unknown circumstances.

Connell also bribed jockey Danny Hobby to fall off his horse Strike Softly mid-race in the 1983 Bunbury Cup. Former horse trainer Bob Meyers had allegedly organised the race-fixing for Connell, who did not want Hobby to know he was involved. Hobby was paid an initial $5,000 for throwing the race, which Connell's horse failed to win. Connell later paid Hobby $300,000 to flee the country and travel the world so the jockey could avoid facing an inquiry and Connell could avoid jail. Hobby had received payments of up to $4000 a month while visiting various destinations, including the US, Canada, France, Switzerland and the Canary Islands. The jockeys former girlfriend said Hobby had at one time, in 1985, feared for his life after a meeting in London with Perth lawyer Mr Brian Singleton, who allegedly warned him to "watch his back". Hobby eventually returned home and Connell spent a year in jail before being released.