Jackson must arrive On Time to reach Millions AN EDGE TO UPSTAGE BOYS
HE has one of Queensland’s best maidens on his hands but Gold Coast trainer Scott Morrisey knows that needs to change if he is to get Jackson On Time into the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas next month.
The two-start maiden has been impressive his brief career to date but needs to win in either of his next two starts if he is to live up to Morrisey’s lofty ambitions.
After getting a back in his first-up the Winning Rupert, Jackson On Time announced himself as a horse to watch when he flashed home behind Far Too Easy and Zuma California.
“He was unlucky last start, whether he would have won or not, I think he probably would have,” Morrisey said.
“It probably wasn’t our intention to get that far back with him, the horse was a bit greener than I thought he would be.”
With 11 months between his first and second run, Morrisey said Jackson On Time was simply given time to mature.
It is a matter of the boys having to reach to the girls’ level on Saturday, Chris Munce says as he looks for his gun filly Rhapsody Rose to make it three on the bounce on the road to the Magic Millions next month.
After racing in separate divisions a fortnight ago, the girls and boys come together in the Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm in what shapes as a major trial for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on January 15.
No horse in the race has more experience than Rhapsody Rose ($3.40), something that gives her a slight edge over the likes of Far Too Easy ($3.10), Jackson On Time ($7.50) and Tiger Heart ($8), according to Munce.
“Her win the other day was pretty good time and ratings wise,” he said.
“From what I am seeing there isn’t a whole lot of difference between them.
“Obviously that horse from down over the border (Far Too Easy) goes good and (Scott) Morrisey’s horse (Jackson On Time) does too but she has been there and done it, mixed with the big boys when they still have a bit to learn so in all honesty I think they need to get to her level rather than her getting to them.”
Jockey Ryan Maloney will again ride Rhapsody Rose after overcoming a knee complaint, suffered in the barriers a week ago aboard Annabel Neasham’s Swiss Exile.
While she is rated a $26 hope in the
Magic Millions Guineas, Munce said Rhapsody Rose would only head in that direction if she performs well on Saturday and again in a fortnight’s time in the Vo Rogue Plate.
“We will go to the Vo Rogue first, she has to run one, two or three there to press on otherwise we could spell her and look at the autumn with her,” he said.
Stampe is $6 with TAB, where he takes on the likes of Tumbler Ridge, Tricky Gal and Alligator Blood.