This Weekend in Racing: Eagle (Farm) Rock
COOL JAKEY HEADING TO MAGIC MILLIONS
It’s time for the NSW Tycoons to slap on the sunscreen – you guys are heading to the Magic Millions Carnival with Cool Jakey.
That’s right, courtesy of Cool Jakey’s barrier-to-box win at Royal Randwick last Saturday, he has booked himself a ticket in the $2 million Magic Millions Cup over 1400m on January 17. Which just happens to be his best distance.
So don’t hesitate, book those flights, get the new outfit, maybe even that bikini you’ve been eyeing off, and get yourself to the “glitter strip” for their big show.
FIRST WIN AT RANDWICK
It’s not easy to win anywhere; to win at Randwick is something special.
Yes, he found a nice race, and yes, the opposition wasn’t the strongest ever assembled, but you still have to get the job done.
Jakey’s first-up sectionals over the unsuitable 1100m jumped off the page, and he was backed into a short priced favourite.
Trainer Joe Pride is full of praise for Jakey and jockey Chad Schofield.
“Chad has to use him a little bit early, so he didn’t get it all his own way. But he relaxed beautifully from there on and did it easily.
“I think we found the right race for him today. To be fair, it was a lovely assignment for him.”
BLINKERS THE SECRET
As they say in racing, gelding a horse is the ultimate gear change; after that, blinkers on is the second best.
That is particularly the case for the prodigy of the champion sire Pierro, and no one really quite knows why.
Your trainer Joe Pride, is a great exponent of using blinkersat the right time, and they will be added to Cool Jakey for the Magic Millions Cup.
“It’s not very often you put blinkers on a last start winner, but I know they will improve him,” Joe said.
JAKEY PULLED UP WELL
Joe also confirmed early this week that Cool Jakey has pulled up well after ticking not only the Randwick box, but also the dry track box.
“He has pulled up well, he is bright and happy, and that sets him up nicely for the Gold Coast and gives me some confidence, even on a good-rated surface, he will be competitive.
“Our best chance will be if it’s rain-affected, and the blinkers will go on.
“That will be the Magic Millions Cup, a very good prize-money race, and some years it doesn’t come up strongly. I think last year, West of Africa won it, and it hasn’t won since.
“Manly of the best horses from those Sales are kept for the Autumn so can’t race during the Magic Millions carnival.
“He has two runs under his belt, he’s fit, in form, and the blinkers will go on,” Joe concluded.
Joe Pride and Chad Schofield
SURF MEETS THE TURF
Over $13 million in prize money and bonuses is up for grabs on 10 race card on Magic Millions day.
The 10 events are restricted to horses originally sold at the Magic Millions, and that’s where Cool Jakey was purchased way back in January 2021.
So he is well and truly qualified.
The track located at Southport is a tight circuit, with a short straight and favours horses that can position themselves up on the pace.
That is basically the racing pattern Cool Jakey enjoys.
The planets are aligning; now we pray for rain.
See you on the Goldie.