Speedy Jazz stuns with late finishing win
Mackay sprinter Dalt Jazz proved he’s a horse of hidden talents after producing a powerful come-from-behind win at Cluden Park on Tuesday.
Dalt Jazz, normally a jump and run sprinter, showed he can be even better coming from the back when he stormed home for jockey Ryan Wiggins to claim the Mitavite BM65 Hcp (1000m).
Trainer Tracy Simmons is now keen to target the Country Stampede series with the five-year-old after a short let-up.
Simmons came up with the new tactics for the five-year-old by chance after he suffered interference at the start and flew home from last in a field of 16 to finish third at Cluden on Cup Day.
“That run on cup day was huge. He was interfered with terribly at the start and at the 800m we were 16th, at the 400m he was 13th and he flew home to run third,” Simmons said.
“He’s such a dominant animal who can pull so hard. He was hard for Ryan today but he still produced that big finish from mid-field.
“Riding him back was really the key.
“A senior jockey had mentioned it before, and when Ryan suggested we go back from barrier 12 I thought it was a good idea.
“I think we can step up to 1200m or 1300m eventually but not this prep. I’ll have a talk to the owner about what we do now and he’ll go for a little rest.
“We’re going to having a crack at the five bush starts and doing the Country Stampede in Brisbane with him in early December. He’s had one or two non-TAB starts so I’ll have a look at the calendar to see if we can fit it in.”
“He’s very immature and hopefully in time we can teach him to settle so he can get over further.”
Cairns stayer Smart Legend is back on track for a crack at a home town Cup win with a strong win in the Ladbrokes Hcp (2000m).
A decision to ride the So You Think gelding further back in the field early did the trick.
Despite a dawdling pace set by roughie Savvy Thinker, Smart Legend settled well and then reeled off a fast final sprint to beat Prince Akeem with Townsville Cup placegetter Journalism finishing an eye-catching third.
Winning trainer Stephen Massingham gave Smart Legend a glowing report after the race and was happy with stablemate Kureder’s fourth.
“He had to do a bit too much work in Mackay and the Cup here and while his runs were very good he just got to the front too soon,” Massingham said.
“We wanted to be more patient today and it worked well.
“They’ll know he’s there up in Cairns. That was a nice run today.
“Kureder is getting there. I’ve changed his work around and he’s steadily improving.
“His run in the Townsville Cup was good after running into traffic and he was close up today off the very slow pace.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Trainer Tom Button was impressed with Faraway Downs but won’t be enticed north with him to tackle the Cairns Guineas.
“I thought we’d back up for this QTIS race today instead of heading north. We’ve got a good chance in the Guineas in Bianca Mia and she’ll be hard to beat for him so I thought we’d go for an easier option here at home.
“I’ll see how he pulls up and maybe look at one more run for him and then turn him out. He’s always been an immature horse and we’ve looked after him.”
Mackay trainer Lachie Manzelmann was over the moon when Outback Action ended a Cluden hoodoo with a last stride win in the Hygain Hcp (1200m).
Outback Action scored his first win at Cluden in 11 starts when he nabbed Hellish on the line with stablemate and Cairns Newmarket hope Red Hot Lizzie a close third.
“Extremely happy with Lizzie and Journalism heading into Cairns with very good runs under their belts and it was great to finally win a race here with Outback Action,” Manzelmann said.