Jack’s Bird and Dillon are ready to take flight
RIVALRY: STABLE COMPANIONS WINTER SUN, JACK’S BIRD TO FIGHT OUT FINISH
Mutawaary to make amends for recent results
Considering Michael Roberts-trained Jack’s Bird was taking a tremendous step up in class and denied running room in the early stages, she was far from disgraced in defeat, beaten no more than 3.35 length by Gabor in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes.
Returning to the same distance at Greyville on Sunday, this daughter of Jackson looks the logical Pick 6 banker when she teams up with jockey Donovan Dillon in Race 6, the Beach Beauty Mile (Non-Black Type) on the Turf track.
Although this three-year-old speedster returns from a 78-day layoff – the only chink in her armour – she looks classy enough to defy those odds. Her case is further strengthened by the fact she is weighted to win and jumps from a decent No 4 draw.
Roberts has never made secret of the fact he rates Jack’s Bird highly.
“She is a nice filly who just oozes class and keeps improving,” said her conditioner.
She followed up her debut second with a flawless success on the Polytrack, outclassing Pont Of Sale by 1.75 lengths.
If Dillon can get this filly to reproduce a similar performance, Winter Sun – main danger and stable companion – will have an extremely tough time catching them.
Winter Sun clearly has ability having recently finished third behind Montreal Mist in the Grade 2 Debutante last time out. She also returns from a 78-day break and will have to jump from No 6 draw in seven-horse field.
Although a three-time winner, Mutawaary, has become rather costly to follow – recording a second and three thirds from last four starts – he looks good value for money in Race 8, a MR 79 Handicap over 1000m.
He produced an eye-catching turn of foot in latest attempt when gallantly running down Coldhardcash to finish second, beaten a diminishing 1.60 lengths over 1200m on the Polytrack.
He is he is a dual winner at this venue and has only missed the first three in two of six starts. He shoulders 1.5kg less than his main danger Blaze Of Silk at 59kg.
The latter must be included in your Pick 6 having won two of his last three races.