The margin was only narrow but Youthful Jack ended a two-and-a-half year absence from the winner’s circle with victory at Wyong on Wednesday.
A five-time stakes winner during his two and three-year-old season, Youthful Jack had not tasted success since the Listed Brisbane Plate in May 2009.
Trainer and part-owner Ross Stitt was delighted to see him finally break his run of outs in the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Welter Cup (1350m) at Wednesday’s Australian Turf Club meeting.
“It’s been a long time,” Stitt said.
“I had a winner at Taree on Sunday and he and this fellow jumped out of the gates last Thursday and what they did, I couldn’t believe.
“I knew he was in with a chance today.”
Youthful Jack gave apprentice Matthew McGuren his first metropolitan win when he edged out O’Crikey to score by a neck with Kimberley Kid another three-quarters of a length away.
Fellow apprentice Chad Schofield continued his good form with a double aboard Happy Hussy for his master David Payne and Social Rank for Paul Perry.
Happy Hussy dug deep to fend off favourite Runway Runaway by a nose.
“She did it at both ends and it was a strong win,” Schofield said.
Wyong will again be the venue for the major NSW meeting on Thursday when it hosts the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) and $100,000 Magic Millions Wyong 3YO Stakes (1200m).
The events are important lead-ups to the rich Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast in January.
AAP TURF
