Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Ace driver Deni Roberts predicts a battle of tactics when she handles Steel The Show in the 2536m Shop Budget Stockfeeds In Oakford Free-For-All at Gloucester Park on Friday night when the seven-year-old’s clash with Jumpingjackmac will be a highlight of the ten-event program.
Steel The Show, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, gained an important advantage when he drew the prized No. 1 barrier, with Jumpingjackmac, prepared by Gary Hall Snr, at barrier two.
“I’m looking forward to the clash with Jumpingjackmac,” said Roberts. “We have the draw on him, so we will definitely be looking to lead. We have the gate speed to do that. Steel the Show is a good frontrunner, and it’s a small field, so it’s likely to be tactical.”
Steel The Show led comfortably from barrier one and set the pace when he won by a length from To Fast To Serious over 2536m last Friday night. He dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.4sec. and 27.4sec.
Jumpingjackmac started from barrier five in the 2936m Fremantle Cup last Friday night when he mustered good early pace to run past Pinny Tiger and take the lead after 250m before bowling along and finishing a neck second to Catch A Wave. The quarters of the final mile were run in 28.8sec., 29sec., 28.6sec. and 29.1sec.
“Hopefully, Jumpingjackmac is a bit tired after last week’s run,” said Roberts with a smile.
In-form reinsman Stuart McDonald admitted that Jumpingjackmac is facing a serious challenge from Steel The Show but has the speed and strength to emerge victorious.
“I imagine that Steel The Show will lead which would put Jumpingjackmac on his back,” said McDonald. “Jumpingjackmac led and went so well last week, and now it looks like we won’t be having an easy time this week.
“However, on his run in the Fremantle Cup Jumpingjackmac is going to be right there on Friday night. I consider he is the best horse in the race who will just have to do some work. I don’t think that we will be able to cross to the front, and I’d say it will be an Indian file event (with the small field of six) unless one of the other drivers has a crack early. We will just see what happens.”
The Dylan Egerton-Green-trained and driven To Fast To Serious will begin from the No. 3 barrier and is capable of unwinding a spirited finishing burst, similar to the one he produced when he raced three back on the pegs in fifth position and rattled home into second place behind Steel The Show last Friday night.