Jacko Links on a forward track
Following Jacko Links’ win in a non-winners of two Restricted Allowance race on Saturday (September 15, 2018), trainer Ryan Darby is now believing that his dark bay colt is settling down and is ready to realise his potential.
Since releasing the maiden tag in May, Jacko Links has been struggling in the class above and went off the boil. On September 1, Jacko Links indicated that he was rounding into form with a second-place finish behind the out-of-class Master Of Hall going a mile (1,600m).
On Saturday last, Jacko Links followed up on that second-place finish with a fighting two-length win over sevenand-a-half furlongs (1,500m).
Ridden by Wesley Henry, Jacko Links shot into the lead over Kalahari (Dick Cardenas), Elal (Gary Richards) and Lord Ashton (Oneil Mullings).
The Distorted – Verify offspring continued to lead comfortably for most of the way until coming into the lane when he was challenged by Elal, who drew alongside.
A battle for supremacy then developed in deep stretch with Elal seemingly putting his nose in front but Jacko Links fought back for his two-length win. Elal was second with Lord Ashton third.
“Well, Jacko Links lost form a few months ago and we reprogrammed him and he came back with a good second the other day and followed through today (Saturday) with a win.
“Hopefully he will continue to progress and improve but we are pleased with the run and we are hoping for more improvements as he goes along.
“He will race next in the non-winners of three group and you know it gets difficult as you go up in class, so we will see how much improvement he will make and then we can draw a line and decide his future,” Darby said.