THE Raider Stakes is now firmly on the agenda for talented four-year-old Jay Bardon after he completed the hat trick of wins at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston on Sunday night.
Jay Bardon was forced to do it tough facing the breeze that was at times greeting the front runners at gale force strength in the back straight.
But the Barry Freeman-trained gelding was up to the task, eventually forging clear of his rivals and going on to defeat outsider Steelington by four metres with In Cruise Mode a close-up third.
Interstate invader Zidanne had enough speed to hold out Jay Bardon whose driver Damien Sprint was unfazed when unable to lead.
“He is a lovely horse to do anything with and Damien (Spring) is building a good relationship with the horse,” said Freeman.
“He’ll get plenty of opposition in the Raider Stakes but he’s heading in the right direction,” he said.
Jay Bardon ran the 1680m trip in 2m.05.8 for a very respectable mile rate of 2m.00.5s.
Freeman races Jay Bardon in partnership with former top trainer-driver Don Peck.