Lightly raced four-year-old pacer Demonstrative (Rod Ashwood) broke his maiden status at Luxbet Park Hobart yesterday with a game harness racing win in the Gerald Glover Pace over 2090 metres.
Despite having to face the breeze in bleak conditions the Eric Jacobson-trained gelding forged to the lead in the home straight and went on to score by over a metre from the favourite Major Jamane ($2.10) with Never Unachievable ($8) a close-up third and just in advance of Bertils Bliss.
Demonstrative (Western Ideal-Luvi Duvi Lombo) was having his third run back from a spell and he was well-backed to win the race.
"The horse has been working well and we thought he could lead, in fact our confidence was based on him leading but when he was left facing the breeze I had some doubts he would stick it out," Jacobson said.
"But to his credit he was strong over the final 200 metres when he was probably entitled to fade a bit, so all in all it was a very pleasing run."
It was an overdue win for the stable but Jacobson, who in his heyday was vying for trainer's premierships, said the wins these days are just a bonus.
"I'm pretty much retired these days with only four horses to work and that suits me.
"Demonstrative is no world beater but he's improved to the point where he can probably win another couple but all four of the horses I have in the stable are in the same boat and all are pretty much paying their way."
Demonstrative is owned and raced by Shane Hildebrand and Mick Jones who are two of his most loyal stable clients.
Peter Staples