John Sargent’s three-year-old filly Jolted gave herself a chance of making the field for the upcoming ATC Oaks when she outstayed her opposition to win the Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2100m) at the Wine Country Race Club’s Beaumont track meeting on Tuesday. A maiden from her four previous starts, Jolted, who is bred to stay being a daughter of Japanese sire Deep Impact was well backed from $3.10 into $2.90.
Tom Sherry rode the filly patiently midfield on the rail, and when the chips were down the Irishman steered Jolted through a narrow gap and she sprinted clear to win by just under a length. Sherry was impressed “I expected her to do that today as she has been working well. I think the longer trip suited Jolted. She travelled better, but I was in a bit of trouble turning into the straight. Sarge has bigger things in store for Jolted” Sherry said.
The winner is owned in the same interests as The Everest winner Giga Kick. ‘Sarge’, who has won Oaks races in four Australian states and New Zealand said on Tuesday morning that he would like to secure a spot in the ATC Oaks with Jolted. Sherry also won on the blueblood Jovita in the Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap (1200m). Jovita who is trained by Mark Newnham is a daughter of champion sire Snitzel.
Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm produced a promising galloper in Wolf Bay, an easy winner of the Sharp Office Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1350m). Bred in New Zealand by Gerry Harvey who is a part owner, Wolf Bay was the best backed horse at the meeting. He was backed from $2.35 into $1.75 and Aaron Bullock put him in the box seat, and he bolted in.
Bullock took his season tally of winners to 105 ½ when successful on Richard Litt’s three-year-old Romeo’s Choice. The winner had the best form in the race and Bullock brought the gelding from midfield to win nicely.
Mitchell Bell combined with Scone trainer Lou Mary to land a double. The pair’s winners were the enigmatic Warrah Flash in the Hunter Valley Premium Meats Country Boosted Benchmark 66 Handicap (1150m) and Shen Gui, which defied a betting drift to easily win the New Era Technology Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m).
Scone speedster Remlaps Commander, trained by Scott Singleton and ridden by Jenny Duggan, bolted in with the final event, the TAB Venue Mode Class 1 Handicap (1200m).
The next meeting at Newcastle is on Thursday 30 March, with the highlight the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championship Wildcard.