Described as ‘still a bit green’ by jockey Michael Dee but Jewel Bandit still made a good impression in winning her second race in as many starts.
Jewel Bandit won on debut at Cranbourne over 1000m on December 12 with Brad Rawiller aboard but Michael Dee took the ride this time at Geelong in the Brandt Colac Handicap (1100m).
The daughter of quality sprinter Pierata was bought for $20,000 at the 2024 Adelaide Magic Millions Sale with her prizemoney now nearly five times that figure after this win.
Jewel Bandit ($41) won by a short-neck margin over the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained pair Frostnip ($21) with Job Done ($4.20) a length away in third.
Co-trainer Mark Kavanagh noted how a little spent can go a long way for owners – particularly for syndicates – and there can be more to come from the filly.
“Twenty ‘grand’, it just goes to show, dreams come true,” Kavanagh said.
“(He was) $21 at Cranbourne, but he won like he should have been favourite and I was quite surprised where the market had this horse today and it was proved wrong,” Dee added.
“We had barrier one, so obviously we’re going to use the gate. We jumped very clean and I anticipated Faraway Dream to lead and they ended up outside later and (we) ended up behind the one that we wanted to follow, eventually, so it worked out perfect.”
Race favourite Miss Ole ($3.50) finished outside of the placings in sixth, five-lengths from the winner.
