Top Harness Racing Driver Nathan Jack was almost resigned by the fact that his young Derek de Jet will taste the Jet on Melton for the first time on Saturday evening.
The gelding tanned its way to a perfect nine victories of the same amount of start last season, including group 1 Vicbred Final and Rich Nutrien Sales Final. He was crowned Australian 3yo -slaping foal or gelding of the year.
Exactly one year since he last racing and the need for speed final at Melton, Derek The Jet returns from a setback and “Associated Niggles” on the same song on Saturday evening.
“It’s a difficult way for him to return to racing,” said Jack. “I think he is good, real, good, but he racet only one season, all against his own age, and now he is back from a year and he takes the Inter Dominion and Tab Protel winner (Arcee Phoenix).
“It’s a huge question, but I have no other options. Under the disabled system, this is the price he pays as a good young horse.
“Last season he started to start as a girl and make his way through the numbers, now it is directly in the biggest major competitions.
“As good as I think he is, it’s hard to see him win a race like this first-up. It’s not only Arcee Phoenix, but Jilliby Ballerini is also one of the best carriers in the state. And my horse starts at the level of her.
“This run, and probably the next couple, are about conditioning him after so long before when he goes back to his own age in the Vicbred and breeders towards the end of the year.”
The other challenge for Derek the Jet on Saturday is the standing start.
“I’m gambling to a great deal,” Jack said. “He did not raced from a stand and he has not even tested from one since his first start.
“I don’t think he starts soon. I am happy that he was drawn in the second row, because I hope that following other horses will help him get away.”
So what is a pass mark?
“Look, if he can safely step and put himself in the race, I don’t think he will be too far away because he is just so good,” Jack said.
“No matter how much he has done a lot of work and we are really pleasant, there is nothing like racing for them, especially at this highest level.
“I would like to think, everything is going well, he will not be far away at the finish and it will be a good basis for us to build.”
Jack’s optimism for the rest of the season is stimulated by the recent form of his brilliant young mare Violet Stanford, because she returned from a long period.
“She didn’t win, but her three runs in strong races are encouraging,” he said. “She is a nice mare, but Derek works at her at home and blows her away.”
There will be a lot of interest in Arcee Phoenix after his first sixth of an almost impossible 30 -meter rear marking on Menangle last Saturday evening.
The six -year -old Superstar will be fitter, extends to a more suitable 2760m and increases 10m to a handicap of 20 meters.
The other important player is much improved young mare Jilliby Ballerini, who has won eight of her 10 starts this season, but rises to Standing Start Racing for the first time.
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Through Adam HamiltonFor Harness Racing Victoria
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