Derby Dream Alive For Jack Mac
22 March, 2018
Harness
Almost one year to the day since his last start in New Zealand, exciting pacer Jack Mac has shown he is on track for next month’s WA Derby, with a strong effort in a 2100m trial at Bunbury last night.
Now trained by Barry Howlett, Jack Mac had his final New Zealand start on March 23 last year, and has since won all seven of his starts in Australia, including the Pearl Classic at Gloucester Park last June.
Despite suffering some minor setbacks which have kept him out of key WA Derby lead up races, Howlett was confident he would have the Mach Three colt ready for the feature race on April 6.
Aiden De Campo drove Jack Mac last night, and said he was impressed with the performance.
“I’ve never driven the horse before,” he said.
“He felt like a good horse.
“He settled back off the gate, then worked up to the breeze at the 800 and won it untouched.”
Howlett said he would give Jack Mac one more trial next week, before starting him in the $200,000 Derby a week later.
Meanwhile, a number of Jack Mac’s fellow WA Derby aspirants will round out their preparations for the event in tomorrow night’s Group 2 Western Gateway.
Gary Hall Snr will unveil his latest stable acquisition Benhope Rulz in the $50,000 event, where he will start from gate 10 with Gary Hall Jnr to drive.
Benhope Rulz won three of his five starts in New Zealand before he was purchased by Hall Snr, and has been installed a $3.50 TABtouch favourite.
Lady De La Renta, Bechers Brook, Speed Man and Golden State are all in single figure odds.
De Campo won the WA Derby last year with Handsandwheels, and he will be hoping Extradite can continue his success in three-year-old races.
Extradite is first-up for new trainer Sarah Dacey, and De Campo said the gelding would acquit himself well from gate three, despite being a $71 chance with TABtouch.
“It’s a tricky draw,” he said.
“If he gets a bit of luck, he might be able to finish in the top five.”
The Western Gateway is the feature event at Gloucester Park tomorrow night, and gets underway at 7.58pm.
Tim Walker