Jordan’s Special Sires Feeling
17 April, 2019
Thoroughbred
Ascot trainer Paul Jordan is quietly confident that Specialism is poised to return to the winner’s stall and end her juvenile campaign in the same manner as she started it last year.
Specialism won her opening two races in November in very good style and ran a close second to Jericho Missile in the Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) before going for a spell.
The Safeguard fillies return back for the rich two-year-old races might not have reached the exact same heights as expected, but Jordan says there were genuine excuses.
In the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) she raced greenly throughout and faded from the lead to finish fifth and 1 ½ lengths behind Rio Del Mar.
Two weeks later in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m), she filled the same finishing spot after bombing the start and storming home late behind Dig Deep.
Jordan says he has faith that Specialism can rebound and win the final two-year-old feature race of the season at Ascot on Saturday: the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes.
“Nothing has really gone right for her in her two runs back,” Jordan told The Races WA.
“First-up, she layed out the whole way and in the Karrakatta she stood in the gates.
“She missed the kick, had to go back before winding up.
“The race was a bit of a black hole and she couldn’t get into it.”
Craig Staples retains the ride on Specialism and jumps from barrier five. She is $4 with Tabtouch.
Heading the market is Karrakatta Plate runner-up Tinsnip, elevated to favouritism ($3.10) after the scratching of Karrakatta Plate winner, Dig Deep.
Dan Morton’s Beethoven is at $3.90.
Jordan says Specialism holds an ascendancy over Tinsnip after relegating him to third position in their one previous encounter.
“We did win and beat him last year,” Jordan says.
“I think she will go well and this is her third run in.
“Some of the others might have gone too long in their campaigns.
“I think she is on the way up.”
Julio Santarelli