Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Ultra consistent five-year-old Jett Star maintained his excellent form and brought up a hat-trick of victories when he defied a spirited late challenge from Finvarra to win the 2130m Perth’s Newest Station, Smooth FM Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The New Zealand-bred Jett Star, raced by Team Bond and trained by Greg and Skye Bond, was the $2.50 favourite, just ahead of Finvarra ($2.60) who was racing first-up for five months and had the disadvantage of starting from the outside in the field of seven.
The polemarker Ima Fivestar General ($5.50) was smartest into stride, while Jett Star mustered his usual good early pace from barrier four to quickly move to the breeze.
Jett Star dashed past Ima Fivestar General to assume control with 1200m to travel. Finvarra raced at the rear and was last with 430m to travel when Gary Hall Jnr sent him forward with a strong three-wide burst. However, Finvarra was unable to wear down Jett Star, who won by a head, rating 1.55.4.
“I was happy in the breeze, but Jett Star got pulling and pulled his way to the front,” said driver Deni Roberts. “I didn’t want to go there but I didn’t have much of a choice.
“He loves a challenge, and when a horse gets up besides him, he fights on.”
Jett Star has been a tremendous performer for the Bond stable, and he has earned $199,397 from 17 wins and eight placings from 33 starts.