It was first time lucky for young Canberra trainer Matthew Dale when Jackpot Queen edged out odds-on favourite African Pulse at Flemington.
It was Dale’s first visit to Flemington on a Saturday and the The Not A Single Doubt filly, sent out at $10 in the Trevor Clark Hcp (1000m), also gave mature-aged apprentice Andrew Stead his first winner at the track.
“There were no races available for her in New South Wales so we opted to come down the freeway and it was a great result,” Dale said.
“With these little two-year-olds you want to get in and make the best of them while you can and that what she is.
“She’ll probably have a little break now and come back in about two weeks for an Inglis SuperVobis race at Caulfield over 1000 metres.”
A $47,000 purchase at the Classic sale in Sydney, Jackpot Queen has raced seven times for three wins and two seconds.
She was runner-up to the talented filly Pane In The Glass in the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick at her second start last December and won the Wellington Boot (1100m) in March and a 1000m event on the Kensington track on April 25.
“She’s won about $180,000 so she’s been a good little earner,” Dale said.
Lisa Cropp led on African Pulse ($1.80 fav) with Jackpot Queen sitting off the Johannesburg colt and the pair dominated the race with the determined filly getting up by a short-half-head.
First starter Adamantium ($26), from the Danny O’Brien stable, ran on well to finish 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Stead, 27, who still claims three kilograms in town and rode his first winners in Melbourne with a double at Caulfield a week ago, said the race panned out how well for him.
“She showed some guts and fought on,” he said.
“She doesn’t mind having a little play but once the barriers open she’s really professional and she gives her all.”
AAP TURF
