Jacksstar
Race Images Palmerston North
Although discarded as a winning chance by most punters before the start of the Lincoln Farms New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham, rugged stayer Jacksstar proved he was the toughest on the day when he scored a narrow victory in the Listed feature.
The Gary Vile prepared four-year-old had finished last in his final lead-up run before Saturday's contest but turned that form on its head when he found plenty of reserves to see off a spirited challenge by the well fancied Five To Midnight in a home straight battle that went right down to the wire. The pair slugged it out over the closing stages with Jacksstar prevailing in a driving finish by a bare half head at the line.
Vile was all smiles after the race where he reserved special praise for the ride of northern jockey Cameron Lammas.
"It was a champion ride as he did exactly what I told him," he explained.
"He put him to sleep on the fence and when he presented him he simply outstayed them."
Vile can see plenty of upside for the gelding by Zed who was scoring his third win from just 17 starts to date.
"He's a lovely stayer in the making as he's only a four-year-old, so he's got a hell of a future," he said.
"We had him nominated for both the Wellington and Auckland Cup but we pulled the pin as we thought it was just a year too soon for him.
"As it turned out we maybe should have gone to the Auckland Cup but we have next season to really look forward to now." – NZ Racing Desk
The Gary Vile prepared four-year-old had finished last in his final lead-up run before Saturday's contest but turned that form on its head when he found plenty of reserves to see off a spirited challenge by the well fancied Five To Midnight in a home straight battle that went right down to the wire. The pair slugged it out over the closing stages with Jacksstar prevailing in a driving finish by a bare half head at the line.
Vile was all smiles after the race where he reserved special praise for the ride of northern jockey Cameron Lammas.
"It was a champion ride as he did exactly what I told him," he explained.
"He put him to sleep on the fence and when he presented him he simply outstayed them."
Vile can see plenty of upside for the gelding by Zed who was scoring his third win from just 17 starts to date.
"He's a lovely stayer in the making as he's only a four-year-old, so he's got a hell of a future," he said.
"We had him nominated for both the Wellington and Auckland Cup but we pulled the pin as we thought it was just a year too soon for him.
"As it turned out we maybe should have gone to the Auckland Cup but we have next season to really look forward to now." – NZ Racing Desk