The Faithful

Jack was back on track at Franklin Trials on Saturday. Sean Grayling eased him back at the start in a field of five. Running in single file for most of the trial ,he ran home nicely in sectionals very similar to the winner The Orange Agent. Trainer and driver appeared happy with the run. Probably will have one more trial before returning to the races at Cambridge on 6th August.

I thought that once he could not get in after the start, going to the back would have been counterproductive with those good horses at the front. Going forward there is always a chance of getting in but it was not to be. For me it still does not answer the question of whether with a good sit he can run up with those good horses.

Better effort this time and recorded a faster time than Sky Major in the 4 y/o section.

Was asked to do plenty, 3 wide for quite a time. A quieter drive would have seen him finish closer I feel but still not enough to trouble the All Stars team.

Welcome back to New Zealand Burnaholeinmypocket ... cop that ... outside of the front line. Top four in the betting race for the front, Brilliant Strike slowly away, Titan Banner locks wheels with Prince Of Pops ... and we slip onto the fence behind the tearaway four leaders.
Easy.

Hmm. I would have preferred he'd drawn the back row than outside of the 3 favourites on the front. Hard to see him getting an economical run from that draw without dropping back early. We'll definitely need some Zac Butcher magic next weekend. Good luck gents.

The draws are out today for the Jewels and Jack has drawn ok at number 6, with the emergency drawn inside him so he may well start from 5.
Drawn next to the favourite Follow the Stars so will need to show some gate speed and follow him.

Race 9 [4:28pm] KPMG PRIVATE ENTERPRISE 3YO EMERALD (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 3YO COLTS & GELDINGS, 1609m
Book Form Age Sex Name Class Trainer
1 212361 3 c Hug The Wind C5 M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
2 312419 3 g Livura (E1) C2 K M Barron
3 457143 3 c Art Union C5 C T Dalgety
4 514111 3 g Have Faith In Me C6 M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
5 222111 3 c Follow The Stars OC M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
6 762370 3 g The Faithful C2 B Purdon
7 313411 3 c Bettor Spirits C5 M G Berger
8 013412 3 c Chachingchaching C4 R W Green
9 622121 3 c Burnaholeinmypocket C2 A P Gath
---------------------------- Second Line ----------------------------
10 743134 3 c Brilliant Strike C4 G T Court & P T Court
11 24X112 3 g Titan Banner C3 G J Anderson
12 411208 3 g Prince Of Pops C2 S G Telfer & C D Garlick
13 1X1815 3 g Lightfingered C2 M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
14 313112 3 g Little Rascal C2 R J Dunn

Yes, looks like he doesn't like being bustled early which negates any good draws he gets.

Disappointing run notwithstanding.

Drops to 9th on the Jewels leaderboard following Friday nights racing along with the return of Follow the Stars from Australia, but Jack will definitely be eligible for the Jewels with the cutoff being tomorrow the 17th May, after which the top 12 will be invited.

Hopefully we can put Friday nights effort at Addington down to a “bad night at the office” and nothing more than that. He will certainly need to be firing on all cylinders in two weeks time if he is to be competitive at Ashburton on Saturday 30th.

Now up to 7th on the Jewels leaderboard after another withdrawal.
Racing at Addington tomorrow in a pretty smart field so will be interesting to see how he goes.

Race 12 [5:40pm] SPECTATORS OPEN 'TIL LATE MOBILE PACE  $20,000, 3YO & OLDER C2 TO C4, 1950m
Book Form Age Sex Name Class Draw Hdcp Driver Trainer
1 506607 6 g Stans Day C2
2 54X723 5 g Al's Courage C2
3 217623 3 g The Faithful C2
4 044112 3 g Prince Of Pops C2
5 2X4292 3 c Kept Under Wraps C2
6 224024 5 m Eva Sophnally C3
7 117495 4 h Provocative Prince C3
8 533442 6 g Graduate Under Fire C4
9 421236 3 c Hug The Wind C4
---------------------------- Second Line ----------------------------
10 416846 5 g Smart Caesar C3
11 X32980 4 h Vibhuti C3
12 124X11 3 g Titan Banner C3
13 870070 4 g Someardensomewhere C3

Jack now up to 8th. in the rankings following the withdrawals, as expected, of Express Stride and Alta Orlando.  However he could drop a place should Follow The Stars return as seems likely at this stage. Also Prince of Pops and Titan Banner are snapping at his heels and he needs to pick up some money at Addington over the next 2 weeks to cement his position, particularly should either or both of them leapfrog him.
All three are engaged in Race 12 on Saturday afternoon.

Another sound placing last night,tried for the trail but denied, otherwise would have won I feel. Now up to 10th on the Jewels
list following the withdrawals of Hughie Green, Pulp Fiction, Tas Man Bromac and I'm Full of Excuses.

The Faithful rounded out an interesting and promising week's racing with excellent seconds from Bettors Pocket ( showing a bit of speed ), Major Change and The Faithful ( beaten by the barrier ) and an impressive win from Major Change (driven with a sit ). ATC 2014 horses are proving to be very competitive within their class. Harness Jewels rankings 12 and 20 for our horses.
Ideal Belle getting back to her best in the next couple of runs would be just right leading up to the Jewels.

Privileged to be at the Park last night with family and have Jack and Zac put on a show like they did for us. Worth every dollar we spend on them, Great Racing.

Yeah, save me a seat. I'll drink to that, and that, and that. The three drinks had better be orange juice.......

Looks like we may as well claim a permanent seat in the owners' enclosure, with 3 horses carded to race on Friday.

I watched Jack go around in the workout at Alexandra Park on Saturday.
The workout was run in 2 min 47 sec and Jack finished off very nicely. He made a nice effort over the last 800m and hit the line strongly, indicating that he is very much ready to race on Friday evening. Good effort.

Overall time 2:47.3 Last 800m 56.5 Last 400m 28.6