Consistent pacer El Jacko has added to trainer Greg and Skye Bond’s strong artillery for the upcoming Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups, taking out the Direct Trades Supply Free-For-All at Gloucester Park last night.
With Inter Dominion champion Tiger Tara being scratched earlier in the week from both Cups, along with the Bond’s star four-year-olds Ana Malak and Mighty Conqueror, together with El Jacko’s two consecutive Free-For-All wins, means the gelding is now well placed for the features.
El Jacko was perfectly driven by Dylan Egerton-Green, settling on the back of Runrunjimmydunn, who was in the breeze, while short price favourite Vultan Tin led throughout.
In similar circumstances to last week though, El Jacko was well poised on the turn and showed a tremendous finishing burst to win by a head to Vultan Tin.
Egerton-Green said El Jacko had a few key traits that would hold him in good stead for next week’s feature.
“It was a good win and he probably had that little bit of luck go his way at his last two starts,” he said.
“He’s capitalised on it and his quick turn-of-foot probably pays dividends at the end of the day.”
Greg Bond said he had seven runners nominated for next week’s Fremantle Cup, headlined by last month’s Inter Dominion Final runner Galactic Star and consistent performer Vampiro.
My Field Marshal remains the favourite for both races, following his win in the Village Kid Sprint last week.
In the other feature event of the night, trainer-reinsman Justin Prentice was able to steer Sun Of Anarchy to victory in the $50,000 Trotters Cup.
Tenno Sho opened up a big lead throughout the running of the 2503m event and looked the winner for much of the home straight, before Sun Of Anarchy eventually got passed him in the final 50m.
Elsewhere on the night, trainer-reinsman combination Mike and Mark Reed teamed up with half-siblings Golden State and Maczaffair to score a winning double.
Tim Walker