Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace hope to continue their recent run of success in Group 1 staying races for three-year-olds following the win of Detonator Jack at Sandown.
The Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 14 is on the agenda for Detonator Jack following his victory in the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi (1600m) on Wednesday.
Plans were hatched for the South Australian Derby after Detonator Jack scored a debut win at Bendigo over 1400m on March 11.
Maher and Eustace captured three Derby victories last season with Explosive Jack and so far this season have taken out the Victoria Derby with Hitotsu who is favourite to claim the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Detonator Jack showed staying qualities when he ambled up to Wednesday’s opposition in the straight, but a lack of maturity almost brought the son of Jakkalberry undone.
Sent out the $2.10 favourite under John Allen, Detonator Jack scored by 1-¼ lengths from Hameron ($4.60) with Flash Feeling ($6) a head away third.
Eustace said the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville on April 30 was likely to be Detonator Jack’s next outing ahead of the Derby.
“After Bendigo we made a plan to hopefully get to Adelaide,” Eustace said.
“It’s good to get the job done.
“He was still a bit green when he got to the front and Johnny had to pull the stick through and straighten him up, but he’s got nice future.
“He’ll probably run in the Chairman’s and then it’s two weeks into the Derby.
“The team at home have done a really good job with him as he’s still quite immature mentally.
“He’s taken a lot of work at the barriers, but he was very good today, so hopefully we can keep him together and get him to Adelaide.”
