Cup meet stirs memories of Our Private Jet
HIS name matched early expectations of a globetrotting lifestyle, but it was over an 1800m stretch of turf south of Cairns that Our Private Jet found his home.
This weekend’s $15,000 Gordonvale Cup summoned memories of one of the most cherished chapters in the race’s 99-year history.
Bought from the 2004 yearling sales in Brisbane for $23,000, Our Private Jet would go on to finish second in the 2011 edition of the 1800m classic.
But he’d go one better in 2012 before showing it was no fluke with a second triumph 12 months later, justifying the decision of connections to ignore their initial plans.
“He was bought to head off overseas but we liked him that much that we decided to keep him,” Innisfail-based co-owner Mark Spangnolo recalled this week. “Any distance race he was up for.
“And every win is a good one and he was a big horse but he could get around that Gordonvale track well.”
Trained by Barry Baldwin in Brisbane, from where he won over 2000m, Our Private Jet then headed north for life under Koster Potamianakis as Spangnolo and fellow owners John and Joseph Camuglia capitalised on his talent.
Earning the popular nickname “Fabio” for his striking looks, the galloper won over fans with three years of dominance at Gordonvale.
“I have been involved with a lot of horses but he’s the only one we’ve owned outright,” Spangnolo said.
“That does make it extra special – he’s the best.
“He won $275,000 over his career so he kept our other horses going, that’s for sure.”
Mustering beckoned after retirement for Our Private Jet, before he died last year from a suspected heart attack.
Saturday’s Gordonvale Cup is expected to draw another bumper crowd, and comes just two days after Cairns will host a TAB meet at Cannon Park.