CONSISTENT three-year-old pacer Scruffy Jake notched his fourth win of the season when he led all the way to win a heat of the BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers Series over 2090 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart.
It was an out-of-character win for the Eric Jacobson-trained gelding that had not led in any of his eight outings this season.
But from gate two, novice driver Damian Spring urged the gelded son of Metropolitan forward and he had no trouble in holding his rivals at bay to the first turn.
Cesta La Vie (Braden Howlett ensured the tempo was honest but racing at the leader’s wheel throughout and at one stage in the home straight the last time it looked as if the favourite might be in a bit of trouble.
But Scruffy Jake dug deep when maximum pressure was applied by Cesta La Vie and went on to score by almost two metres from Cesta La Vie with Villify, that had trailed the leader throughout, ran on gamely to grab third.
“This horse has done a terrific job this time in and tonight he showed us he had another string to his bow,” Jacobson said.
“We thought hew might be a bit suspect if he led in a race but he showed us tonight that he is just as capable leading, although I am confident he is a better horse sat up,” he said.
Talented novice reinsman Damian Spring rated Scruffy Jake perfectly in front and the win also enhances the driver’s chance of winning the six-race series.
Spring went into the second round of heats in equal second spot on 17 points but he burst to a clear lead with the winner’s 12 points taking his tally to 29 and a half-dozen points clear of his nearest rival.
Listen to what novice driver Damian Spring had to say about Scruffy Jake’s win – click here.
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