Trainer Tony Sears’ decision to avoid top three-year-old Winning Rupert with French Jet has proved a winning one.
Sears had accepted with French Jet for a $100,000 three-year-old race at Eagle Farm last Saturday but scratched him to run at Ipswich on Wednesday.
French Jet ($3.30) overcame being caught deep early to beat the favourite Love A Rose ($2.70) by 1-1/4 lengths in the Three-Year-Old Hcp (1000m).
“I didn’t want to take on Winning Rupert from the bad barrier on Saturday and I think I was right after that horse ran a course record,” Sears said.
“But I have a good opinion of French Jet and if he continues to improve we will press on to the Magic Millions Guineas (on January 14). If he isn’t up to that there are plenty of QTIS bonus races for him.”
Sears said he expected Wednesday’s race would prove a good form guide.
“I know a couple of the other trainers have opinions of their horses and I have one of mine especially as he matures,” Sears said.
He said he was sure French Jet would show strong form once he got to the 1400m of the Magic Millions Guineas.
“I think he will eventually get a strong 1600 metres,” Sears said.
Winning jockey Michael Cahill is also confident French Jet will run a strong 1200m and later further.
“He was good at the end of 1000 metres today and it was a pretty handy field,” he said.
Trainer Kelly Schweida wasn’t disappointed with the effort of Love A Rose, who like French Jet was first-up from a spell.
“She had only one jump-out in the lead in and she will be improved,” he said.
Road accident survivor Jetsonic is also headed for better things after winning the Class 2 (1000m).
It was his first start since he was one of four horses trained by Tony Gollan who were involved in a road accident on the way to the Sunshine Coast races in April.
“Frespanol who was in the same accident has also won since so it is good for the connections,” Gollan said.
