Another big win for Kiltegan’s Jackson
KILTEGAN’S Shane Jackson reunited with Bit Of A Lad in Warrnambool for the Thackeray Steeplechase on Sunday and the pair produced a stunning performance to romp home to victory in what has become a magical season for the Co. Wicklow jockey.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained jumper fought off his rivals to eventually win by six lengths after being challenged when a number of runners loomed up on the final jump.
Jackson has already steered Bit Of A Lad to victory in the Australian
Steeplechase in early May.
The six-year-old missed the start on Sunday but under a great steer from the champion jumps jockey affectionately known as ‘Turkey Legs’ Down Under was able to dig deep and claim victory.
‘He’s a tough little horse…they thought he was spot on for the Australian and he was very brave today,’ said stable representative Declan Maher after the race in an interview with racing.com.
‘We always knew that he was going to be strong through the line, he was back in trip again and he probably had the fitness edge over some of them.
‘Another year older he’s a bit more seasoned now and he’s just done a super job,’ he added before complimenting Jackson on a ‘15 out of 10’ job.
‘Shane is riding with great confidence,’ Ciaron Maher said a few weeks ago in an interview with The Standard.
‘We won the Grand Annual Steeplechase in May with Ablaze and Shane had the winning ride, and then he won on Bit Of A Lad in the Australian Steeplechase for us.
‘I think he’s been an underrated jumps jockey for a couple of years, but now everyone is catching on to his ability and skills,’ he added.