Well-travelled gelding Irish Jig is just the type of project John McNair relishes.
“He is a horse with problems who has got a bit of talent and they’re always good to get hold of,” McNair said.
“If you can get rid of the problems then the talent can come out.”
McNair specialises in rehabilitating and managing horses with injury issues although these days he is best known as the trainer of top sprinter Hay List.
The dual Group One winner has been sidelined by a leg infection for the past six months but returned to work this week.
McNair will be hoping the good news can continue at Rosehill on Saturday when he will saddle up two runners including Irish Jug in the Blackwoods One Eleven Handicap (1300m).
The seven-year-old, by Takeover Target’s sire Celtic Swing, began his career in Ireland where he won a Listed race and was placed at Group Two level.
He then went to Hong Kong where he was trained by John Moore and had the bulk of his 37 starts.
“He developed some problems in Hong Kong and he was sent here (Australia) originally to retire,” McNair said.
“But his owners decided to give him another chance.
“So far, so good.”
Irish Jig has shown promise in two runs for McNair.
In his first start for more than 18 months he finished second at Muswellbrook before an eye-catching third to Trauma at Warwick Farm last month when he steamed home from near the rear.
“I quite like the horse,” McNair said.
“Whatever he does on Saturday he will improve on again.”
McNair’s other runner is Mighty Obvious in the Blackwoods Gearwrench Handicap (1100m).
AAP TURF
