Jagger To Rediscover Swagger
19 April, 2018
Greyhound
It has been a nervous month for the Chris Halse kennel with star stayer Quick Jagger mixing his form in the build up to Saturday night’s Group 1 Sky Racing-Galaxy (715m).
However, some of the nerves were put at ease last Saturday night when the son of Dyna Nalin recorded an effortless eight length win in his heat of the Galaxy, in an impressive time of 41.7 seconds.
Prior to last week’s win, Quick Jagger hadn’t won since February 3, and had six winless starts in between, including two placings as a short price favourite.
Among those credible performances was a fourth placing in the Group 1 Zoom Top and second in the Group 1 Super Stayers, both behind Fanta Bale at The Meadows.
Kennel representative Luke Townsend said it was a relief to have Quick Jagger rediscover his winning form last week, and felt he was good enough to record a hometown Group 1 win this week.
“I was really impressed and really happy,” he said.
“It’s good to see him improve from what he’s doing lately.”
Quick Jagger didn’t fare well at Monday night’s box draw, where he came up was dealt the outside box.
However, Townsend said there were enough positives to draw on despite the wide box.
“It’s not too bad for him out there in box eight,” he said.
“Moment To Jive wants to show a little bit of speed early and get to the fence.
“Hopefully he goes straight…and get to the front at some point.”
Rippin’ Sam showed he would take plenty of beating in Saturday night’s feature with a strong win in his heat last Saturday, and is a $1.95 favourite with TABtouch.
Quick Jagger is on the second line of betting at $4, while the third of Saturday night’s heat winners Moment To Jive, is on the third line of betting at $4.80.
Meanwhile, Halse has the rising star West On Augie engaged in the other Group 1 on the night the Sky Racing-Perth Cup.
West On Augie also received the outside box at the box draw, and Townsend said that would be a major obstacle for the son of Fernando Bale to overcome.
“It’s a bit disappointing box eight,” he said.
“At least he will have a clear run into the corner.
“It’s going to be a tough ask in that sort of field.”
Townsend said the kennel was yet to get to the bottom of West On Augie’s potential, and felt he would take benefit from his first shot at a Group 1 race.
“I think he’s definitely ready at some point,” he said.
“I’m not sure it will be this week, but I do see a Group 1 in him soon.
“He jumps, he runs, so he’s definitely got a Group 1 in him down the track.”
Despite the wide draw, TABtouch has West On Augie as the $3.60 second elect, behind Golden Easter Egg winner Up Hill Jill.
The Galaxy is the first of the Group 1 races at Cannington on Saturday night, and gets underway at 8.36pm.
Tim Walker