La Jument ready for ‘Farm’

RACING: La Jument hasn’t put a foot wrong since stepping foot on track for trainer Shaun Dwyer Jnr.

The bargain buy of $8000 has already paid his way in a big way, winning both of his career starts at the Sunshine Coast.

Now the six-year-old faces another test as he prepares to tackle Saturday metropolitan grade for the first time, as La Jument looks to continue his progression through the grades in the Class 3 Plate (1500m) at Eagle Farm.

It will be a special occasion not only for the horse, but for Dwyer Jnr as well, who is saddling up his first metropolitan runner.

He said there is an obvious excitement, and he believes his gelding can handle the step up in grade.

“I’ve got mixed emotions. I’m excited but also nervous,” he said.

“It’s a Class 3 event so it’s not a massive step up in class, but he still has to do the job.

“I know he’s more than capable. He’s had a good three weeks between runs and probably needed it after the quick back-up from his first run.

“I’m confident in him, but he still has a job to do.”

La Jument snuck under the radar at his debut run on February 16, going around at double figure odds before scoring by almost three lengths.

He was well found by punters at his next outing, where he handled the rise in distance to 1300m to score by a length and three quarters.

Dwyer Jnr believes the wide straight of Eagle Farm will suit him down to the ground.

“It was an impressive win last time, and between his first and second run he hasn’t put a foot wrong. You can’t fault the horse in any way,” he said.

“He’s a lovely horse and hasn’t missed a grain. He does so well in his feed bin.

“That first start taught him a fair bit and with his second start he learnt even more. If he can take further progress from that he’ll be very hard to beat.

“We’re hoping at the 1500m that it will be run at a bit of a slower tempo so that he can be midfield.

“He has a very strong turn of foot for a big horse. He’s a rangy horse so the tighter courses don’t suit him.

“I said to the owners when they first got him that he’ll like the racecourses around Queensland like the Sunshine Coast, Eagle Farm and maybe the Gold Coast.”

Unfortunately for the owners of La Jument, they won’t be allowed on course with government-enforced restrictions related to COVID-19.

Dwyer Jnr said he feels for them, however knows they’ll be cheering him on television.