RICKY ON JACKAROOZY
Burnham trainer Mark Jones has picked a driver to suit the diminuitive but competitive Jackaroozy when he shoots for back-to-back Forbury Park wins on Friday, July 2.
“Ricky (May) is going to drive him and being the size he is, he should suit the horse,” Mark said.
Mark is heading to Melbourne on Friday to drive top 3YO trotter Kahdon in a heat of the Victoria Trotting Derby on Saturday night.
“I couldn’t get a flight over on Saturday, so I’m going Friday. Ricky can also drive San Fran Lady at Forbury. The boys here can look after a couple we’ve got in at Rangiora on Sunday too,” he said.
Mark wishes he had a full barn in the Jackaroozy mould, but the realisation is that he will probably be sold off-shore.
“He is on the market. As long as we get good money, we’ll sell him,” he said of the Courage Under Fire gelding.
“The problem is there will be limited opportunities for him next season.”
“You have the top 3YO’s coming back with handicapping concessions. He has to come up against them again.”
“He’s a lovely horse. He is so easy to train. He would be one of the best natured horses around.”
Mark can’t fault him as a racehorse, saying he has gate speed and usually begins well from a stand.
“He can either be driven with a sit, lead, or parked. If he was a hand taller, everyone would be dying to get him, but because of his size he suffers from small man’s syndrome.”
“He’s always been competitive. Apart from a couple run of times when he’s had excuses, he could have been in the money 15 out of 17 times.”
Jackaroozy was purchased as a yearling by Bruce Negus for Queensland owner Greg Brodie from former Rolleston co-breeder-owner Lindsay Blackmore, after they had earlier secured Jackaroozy’s year older half-sister, former speedy filly Alexis (runnerup to Lauraella in the 2009 NZ Oaks).
Their dam Alegria (Caprock-Miesque) is an unraced sister to former smart pacer Mac De Stroyer (11 wins from 25 NZ starts for $154,658), later a 1:49.8 winning miler in North America.
“Greg Brodie has sold Courage Under Fire and all his mares. He got out of the breeding game as it was taking up too much of his time,” Mark said.
Jackaroozy justified his favouritism last week at Forbury Park, despite tangling for his first few strides then hitting his straps, settling back on the outer.
After improving wide at the 1400m he faced the breeze outside second favourite Galleons Prospect over the last 900m and outstayed him to win by a neck in a 1-2 wins 2700m pace from a stand in 3:29.9 (2:05.1 mile rate).
He is drawn to be an each-way chance again on Friday, even though stepping up in grade in the 2-3 wins, the Kingsmen Mobile Pace over 2700m.
KAHDON ON SONG FOR DERBY HEAT
Regan Todd is “rapt” with the condition of Kahdon at Craig Demmler’s Parwan stables.
“Regan said she looks real good,” Mark said.
“Craig (Demmler) worked her on Saturday and she worked super and her heart rate was pretty good.”
“She will definitely be needing the run on Saturday, but from all reports I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
Kahdon was freshened after winning first-up for Mark in the $A50,000 Dallas Building Victoria Oaks at Melton on June 11.
Saturday’s Victoria Trotting Derby heat begins the countdown to the $A75,000 Victoria Trotters Derby at Maryborough on July 18.
Kahdon will then be aimed at the $A93,000 Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO Trot Final at Tabcorp Park on August 22.
By Jeff Scott