Little Jack ridden by Jake Noonan wins the Carlton Draught 0-64 Handicap at Sale Racecourse on May 05, 2024 in Sale, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)
Melbourne’s recent spell of cold weather has afforded Alex Rae the opportunity to again step out his up-and-coming stayer Little Jack at Caulfield.
Little Jack is shooting for a third straight win after victories at Sale and Caulfield when he runs in the Sportsbet Nobody Does It Easier Handicap (2000m) on Saturday.
Rae had contemplated sending Little Jack for a break, but instead decided to keep him in the stable and continue his preparation.
“It’s pretty unpleasant at the moment in Melbourne, so we thought while he’s thriving in the stable environment, we would give him another run,” Rae said.
“It is our priority to look after the horse, but he’s really come through that run in good order, so while he’s racing well, we’ll have another throw at the stumps.
“The spring will come up too soon from a programming perspective, so we’ll give him his month off after Saturday, or at the end of July, and then just a light spring and hopefully he can continue to improve for next autumn.”
After being comprehensively beaten over 1200m on debut at Kilmore, Little Jack has gone on to claim four wins and two second placings from his six subsequent starts.
The step up to 2000m at Caulfield last time when scoring by 2-¾ lengths was a bit of a surprise to Rae, but it showed the gelding was a stayer with upside.
“We’ve only looked after him and then all-of-a-sudden we get him to a mile-and-a-quarter, where things are in his favour, and he goes to a new level,” Rae said.
“Often, they can take another step forward and we’re hoping on Saturday he can improve again.
“He’s been penalised two-and-a-half kilos, but we think it’s a just penalty to pay for his impressive win last start.”
Rae expects Little Jack to improve his racing manners with maturity.
In his latest Caulfield win, Little Jack drifted out to the outside fence under Jason Maskiell who again has the ride on Saturday.
What Rae does not want to see is a track in the heavy range on Saturday, although regardless the gelding will take his place.
“We were happy enough with him last time on a Soft 6, so hopefully the rain stays away, and it will be in that range on Saturday,” Rae said.
“We ran him the previous start at Sale where he won on a bog, but we didn’t think he had that same turn of speed in those conditions.
“We won’t be pulling him out, irrespective of the conditions on Saturday, but we feel he is more dynamic if he can get on some firmer footing.”