Jakkal's Jolly Good

Te Akau NZ trainer Jamie Richards has trained another winning double - this time at Rotorua on Wednesday - the first of which was purchased by David Ellis from the NZB Ready to Run Sale ...

Beautifully rated in front, Red Jakkal (3 g Jakkalberry - Red
Alert, by Red Giant) went one better than his debut performance on the course
when taking out the $10,000 Maiden 3YO 1215 metres on 20 March at Rotorua.

Having quickened off a wide trip for
second when debuting last September at Rotorua, Red Jakkal began smartly from
barrier two to lead on this occasion and rider Opie Bosson had him travelling
on an even keel throughout. And although the margin closed nearing the line, he
never appeared in danger.

The first foal from an unraced
mare by Red Giant (Giant's Causeway), sire of recent Auckland Cup (Gr. 1,
3200m) winner Glory Days, Red Jakkal was purchased by Te Akau principal David
Ellis for $75,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from
the draft of Elite Racing.

“That's the difference that Opie
(Bosson) can make,” Ellis said. “He set a nice pace and was strong in the
finish. He's so fit these days and he just lifts them when he's in that sort of
form.

“I bought this horse for John Galvin (Fortuna Syndications) and his team are having a great run, especially with Melody Belle that I also bought them. having won five Group 1's and a Group 2 this season.

“He's a pretty good sort of horse
that has always looked promising and Jamie (Richards) has done a great job with
him. He was coming away again at the line and has a staying pedigree, so he
shouldn't have any trouble getting further.

“We had been impressed with the
stock of Jakkalberry since first inspecting them at Karaka, so it's a shame for
the industry to have lost his services. This horse was from his first crop and
a shorter, compact, staying type of horse.”

Always showing potential at the
trials, Red Jakkal had prepared for the race with a quiet trial for third on 26 February at
Avondale.

“It was a nice ride,” Galvin
said. “As we said before the race, we didn't have to lead but Opie found
himself there and controlled the tempo nicely, and he had enough to kick on and
win. We'll leave it up to Jamie (Richards) to decide where to go next, but
obviously we'll be stepping up, probably, a bit more in trip.

“We'll see how we go through the
autumn, but I think he will be an even better horse next year as an older horse
with a bit more maturity.”

In the race named ‘Come Along 11^th
May Cup Day', Red Jakkal scored by a neck on footing downgraded to Dead5 after
race one, and he paid $2.60 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards said: “I thought it was a nice win. He showed good speed from the barrier, travelled well, is still learning his craft and although he took a while to quicken when Opie asked him, he quickened in nicely. He was strong through the line, so going further looks no problem to him.

“He's a nice horse that Dave
(Ellis) bought to budget for John Galvin at the Ready to Run Sale last year. He
was bought as a staying type horse, so everything he's doing at the moment is a
bonus. He always shown ability, but been a bit immature so we'd given him a
good break.

“John and his Fortuna owners are so good to train for because they allow us to give horses time and they've been rewarded here at his second start as a March three-year-old. He's a nice horse for the future and a good effort by the team to get him to the races in such good order, as he's not the easiest to work with.”

From a very successful family
developed by trainer Kevin Gray, including 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner
Master Belt (Masterclass), Red Jakkal sports Champion stallion Savabeel
(Zabeel) as his grand-dam sire.

Unfortunately, Jakkalberry died
last February. He won 12 races, stakes of $2.7m, and holds the record for the
fastest last 600m (33.5) in a Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m). Strong, consistent,
and a high-class performer, Jakkalberry was a Champion in Italy (2010 and
2011), and Great Britain (2012).

Red Jakkal has a nice Mr.
Prospector (Raise a Native) cross through the sire sides of his pedigree,
bloodlines that remain prevalent in staying ranks worldwide.

Ellis also commented on trainer
Jamie Richards' imminent departure to oversee horses in Sydney.

“It was good to see the stable in
winning form before Jamie heads off (Thursday) to Australia for the weekend,”
he said. “He's got three really promising horses stabled over there. Probabeel
ran a terrific race on ground too heavy for her last Saturday at Rosehill, and
now she will go to the Sires' Produce Stakes on 6 April at Randwick.

“Opie is going over to ride
Avantage this Saturday at Rosehill, and In A Twinkling races the following
Saturday in the Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill.

“We know how hard it is to win at
the Carnival in Sydney, but Jamie has the horses in lovely condition and we're
going to give it a crack. You can't win if they're in their box.”

Red Jakkal was strapped by Kate
Belsham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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