Jett Star Wins Eventful Slipper Tune Up
It was meant to be straight forward for Pearl Classic winner Jett Star in tonight’s TABtouch 2YO Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
He was meant to head to Gloucester Park as a $1.10 favourite and be far too classy for his rivals.
It turned out to be a much harder task than first thought.
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained colt hit the arm on the score up and galloped out, which forced driver Ryan Warwick to restrain Jett Star towards the rear of the field.
He was then left without cover for the entirety of the race, as The Swiss Maestro led for Kyle Harper in a slick lead time of 36.3.
Seeryanfly made a bold attempt for the lead in the early stages but was forced to restrain three-back on the pegs with The Swiss Maestro too quick from barrier two.
There was more drama as the field made its way down the straight to get the bell when The Swiss Maestro and Aussie Scooter contacted and locked wheels and were both retired from the race.
It left Dominus Factum, considered to be Jett Star’s biggest threat, in front at the bell.
Jett Star wore down the Aiden De Campo-trained gelding in the straight, then saw off a spirited effort from Seeryanfly by a head.
The son of Bettors Delight ran home in 55.8 and rated 1.55.4 in a performance which showed why he’s the one to beat in next Friday’s Golden Slipper.
Greg Bond said the win wasn’t pretty, but was confident it would be enough to have his budding star “cherry ripe” for the Golden Slipper.
“It probably wasn’t as impressive as expected,” he told RWWA Harness.
“He ran home in 55.8 after galloping at the start and they ran a 36.3 lead time so it was still good work.
“We wanted him to have one more run, we were just hoping it was going to be a little bit less dramatic than that though.”
Elsewhere, Bond said Give Us A Wave came through his Westbred Classic win last Friday night in good order and was also on target for the Golden Slipper.
Tim Walker
Image – Hamilton Content Creators
https://soundcloud.com/tabradio/june-30-chris-barsby