FORMER star NSW sprinter Youthful Jack returned to something like his best form to score a convincing win in the weight-for-age $90,000 thetote.com.au Stakes at the TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston last night.
Youthful Jack won his first race in over two years at Wyong in late December which was his first victory in over two years.
But his astute trainer and part-owner Ross Stitt believed the gelding would be suited to a campaign in Tasmania to tackle three of the weight-for-age races during the AAMI Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.
Stitt opted to transfer the gelding into Spreyton trainer Adam Trinder’s care and given the way the six-year-old was presented for his first Tasmanian assignment the NSW mentor made the right move.
Veteran jockey Robert Thompson had Youthful Jack settled fifth and when the leader Motspur kicked four lengths clear 500m from home Thompson got his charge moving and when the gelding moved alongside the leader in the straight the end result was never in doubt.
Youthful Jack hit the line well clear of Rave Night that made up good ground in the home straight while race leader Motspur hung on to grab third and just in advance of three-year-old filly Buzzing Along that cam from near last on the turn.
Listen to what Youthful Jack’s part-owner Geoff Sheedy had to say about Youthful Jack’s win – click here .