Trainer Paul St Vincent has had to be patient but he believes the time is right for million dollar earner The Jackal to make his raceday comeback at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The two-time Ramornie Handicap winner is set to return in the Uniform Management Services Open Handicap (1000m) after almost 18 months on the sidelines through various niggling issues.
The 10-year-old was being aimed at a return in last month’s Ramornie at Grafton but a crack in a hoof in the lead-up to the country feature prompted St Vincent to delay the gelding’s return.
“I gave him a gallop at Dubbo last Monday week between races and (jockey) Kody Nestor said `he feels like a two-year-old’,” said St Vincent, who trains at Tamworth in the north west of NSW.
“He then trialled at Scone last Friday but because of the track condition I had to back off and only give him a soft trial. He finished second in the trial and he came through it perfect and had a real good blow.
“(Jockey) Leanne Henry’s opinion was that he might be just one gallop short still, but he’ll slip up tomorrow (Thursday) morning at Tamworth and then we’ll head up on Friday.”
St Vincent said he was looking forward to getting the 14-time winner back to the races.
“I would just like to see him run well and pull up well,” St Vincent said.
The trainer had the option of trialling The Jackal again next week but believed the Brisbane sprint was an ideal kick-off point.
“If I put it off again I’ll keep going around and around in circles,” he said.
“It’s a nice 1000 metre race. He’s got 61 kilos less two for (apprentice) Maija Vance and she’s a pretty strong rider.
“There’s only eight horses in it and the track will be very good so I really think that’s the perfect place to start off.
“He’ll run well, it’s just whether he might knock up the last little bit. But as long as he pulls up well we’re on the road again.”
The Jackal’s most recent race appearance was a close third at Eagle Farm in the Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) in February last year.
The Jackal, who will wear bar plates, has had 20 of his 60 race starts at Eagle Farm for four wins and six placings.
“He travels like a gem and has been up that road that many times, he nearly drives the car.”
