STAR four-year-old pacer Jerrys Jet delivered another stellar performance to score a narrow but game win in the $30,000 Raider Stakes final at Devonport on Sunday night.
After slotting into the coveted one-out-one-back position after travelling 400 metres, the gelding’s trainer-driver Rohan Hillier sent him three-wide to challenge in the back straight and he had the leader and stablemate Four Ex Dan covered turning for home.
The leader rallied so Hillier had to get busy on the $1.80 favourite and just when that stoush had ended along came outsider One Mans Pass to issue a challenge that fell short by a metre.
It was Jerrys Jet’s 15th win from 19 starts and his owner-breeder Charlie Beadman was pleased with the result.
“He’s not at his best on this tight Devonport track and it took a very good drive from Rohan (Hillier) to win it, ” Beadman said.
The race was delayed for about 15 minutes after Four Ex Dan threw himself down on the track near the starting point and his sulky became entangled in the outside fence.
The gelding had to return to the stables to undergo a vet’s examination before being allowed to start and a replacement sulky was required.
Four Ex Dan led, as expected, from the pole position with Blackjackhanover on his outside, Fioki on the leader’s back and Jerrys Jet on his outside.
Beadman said that Jerrys Jet would press on with his current campaign but he didn’t have any specific targets and dispelled rumours that the horse was heading interstate.
“I’ll have a talk with Rohan but we’re not planning to send him to the mainland at this stage,’’ Beadman said.