Jockey Jamie Melham was concerned Jimmy Recard may hoist the white flag and retreat when bumped in the straight at Caulfield.
But instead of weakening out of the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) on Saturday, that brush with runner-up Tycoon Star sparked Jimmy Recard into a fighting mood.
Under Melham’s urgings, Jimmy Recard, the $3.60 favourite, fought back to score a long-head victory over Tycoon Star ($5) with Express Class ($13) a further 1-½ lengths away third.
Jimmy Recard completed a winning hat-trick with his success on Saturday having scored in a Gosford maiden in June before taking the Taj Rossi Sprint Final at Flemington last month.
Melham was aboard in Jimmy Recard’s win at Flemington and said of Saturday’s victory he had grown and matured.
“I know this horse has got talent and he’s really impressed me in his work and his trials, but I was concerned the penny had not really dropped with him yet,” Melham said.
“When he got that bump at the 200 (metres), I thought he would put the white flag up, but he didn’t and dug deep.
“He’s really grown and matured, and the penny has dropped with him now.
“He’s got some big wins in store.”
Trainer Ciaron Maher said Jimmy Recard, who carries the same colours as Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon, continues to raise the bar every time he is asked.
The trainer said the stable had considered heading to Adelaide for a Stakes race last month before eyeing Saturday’s contest as a winnable race.
“I think he’s improving every time he runs,” Maher said.
“We had notions of taking him to a Stakes race in Adelaide and then resetting for the spring, but we squashed that idea and he’s started the spring the right way.
“He’s a very well-bred colt, a great type, and he’s got a bright future.”
Maher said there was a number of options available to Jimmy Recard and if he showed he could stretch in trip, the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) could be on the agenda, or if he is restricted to short course racing, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in November may loom as a target.
