Crackerjack NZ
NATHAN Jack is joining the exodus from Victoria to chase Queensland’s winter riches.
Jack confirmed exciting former Kiwi trotter Crackerjack would tackle the $150,000 Group 1 Great Square at Albion Park on Saturday week.
Now trained by Jack’s father Russell, the former Kiwi gelding made an impressive Aussie debut winning at Melton last Saturday week.
It was Crackerjack’s fifth win from 20 starts and he’s been placed another 11 times in NZ’s North Island.
“He’s going to Brisbane for sure,” Jack said.
“We’ll trial him at Shepparton on Thursday and then head up. It looks like a terrific race.
“What a carnival it’s going to be, it’s so good. It’s a bit like the good old days with so many big races and trainers taking horses from everywhere.
“It’s fantastic to see how strong things are in Queensland.
“I’d like to take a couple of others up, too, but it’s so strong I don’t think we’ve got anything else good enough.”
Crackerjack firmed from $15 to $7 for the Great Square after his impressive Melton win.
He adds to the huge Victorian flavour in the race, headed by $3.50 favourite Mecarno, last year’s Australian 3YO Trotter of the Year.
Mecarno has been primed with two solid runs against open-class free-for-all company in recent weeks.
Trainer Jess Tubbs said she would make a decision in the next few days whether to take star four-year-old mare Tracy The Jet to the Great Square.
While another top class four-year-old mare, Jilliby Dreamlover, will cap her preparation for the race with a run at Melton on Saturday night.
“Well, we hope she will. Hopefully the race stands up,” co-trainer Paddy Lee said. “If not, we’ll have to go without it and just head up on Sunday, via a stopover in Sydney.”
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
