Riding promising stayer Jacksstar, Collett followed trainer Gary Vile's instructions of "don't wait around for them" to the letter when she made a lightning move to plant her charge on the speed during the middle stages of the contest. Until that point Chris Johnson and Balham had gotten away with daylight robbery as they slowed the pace of a race to a crawl.
Successful over 3200 metres at his last start, Jacksstar didn't flinch when the
sprint went on in the straight as he and Balham set down to fight out the
finish. In a desperate struggle the five-year-old gelding prevailed by a long
head from a game Balham with favourite Five To
Midnight running home well for third.Vile was a contented man when interviewed after the race.
"It turned out to be a good ride didn't it," he commented.
"I said don't wait around for them as he's the fittest horse in the race. He had just come back from two miles and I knew on the turn he would out-tough them."'
It was a welcome return to form of late for the Zed gelding who had promised plenty last season when winning the Listed New Zealand St. Leger at Trentham over 2500 metres.]
"I think the wet spring sort of got to him a bit," noted Vile when questioned about some indifferent runs earlier in this campaign.
"He's on form now though. He'll go out to the paddock for a few days and then we'll have a look at the Wellington Cup."
The Gr. 3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup (3200m) is the feature event at Trentham on the 21st of January. – NZ Racing Desk
