Image: Bruno Canatelli
Jacquinot is Group 1-bound after his thrilling first win at Sandown
The quality three-year-old Jacquinot won for the first time, with punters raising concerns about the short odds at Sandown during the race.
After finishing ninth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in October on his maiden start, Jacquinot made a late dive in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1300m) on Thursday.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior-trained Geller is now Group 1 bound with the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on 11 February and the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on 25 February next on the agenda.
Sent off the $2.10 favorite with Ladbrokes under Damian Lane, Jacquinot won by a short-head on the Bank Maur ($7.50) with Ruthless Dame ($11) moving up to third.
Jacquinot was a little slow to increase the pace from his inside draw and Lane found himself in a difficult position at the fence.
“He’s got such a big, long stride and he was in a weird spot behind longshot and Damian did a good job getting him out over the fence,” said Kent Jr.
“The horse is very game. It’s not easy coming down on him, but he kept coming.
“It was a small change from Coolmore to today but she has done a fantastic job and it is two and a half weeks and a trip to CF Orr so it will be perfect for her.
“He’s got a lot of improvement to come. It was a very smart win and bring on CF Orr.
Lane, who partnered Jacquinot to his win in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Sydney last spring, said the colt was an impressive horse who keeps improving.
The jockey is looking forward to seeing the colt back in age and against older horses in the CF Orr Stakes.
Lane said, “He hasn’t had a long time, but he’s filled in well and it’s exciting for Autumn.”
“He had a bit of weight against these horses today so it will be nice to see him again in weight-for-age conditions and run well like he did in the spring.”
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