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Talented colt Flash Jimmy is on course for a Breeders Crown and Vicbred campaign after an impressive first-up victory in the $9000 Alabar Horsham 3YO Classic on Monday afternoon.
The son of A Rocknroll Dance hadn’t been seen at the races since mid-May when connections decided to pull the plug after a few disappointing efforts.
“After a cut leg forced us out of the Vicbred 2YO Final, he stayed in the paddock for some growing up time,” explained owner Steve Blacker.
“But when we brought him back for the 3YO APG Gold Bullion Series, he wasn’t the same horse so out he went again.
“In a perfect world we’d have then got back for the Derby heats, but the wet and a few niggles got in the way. In the end we were happy to let it go and concentrate on the Crown and Vicbred.”
The Alabar Horsham Classic looked ideal for Flash Jimmy’s return, being a three-time winner and certain to draw well as rated only NR51.
Punters agreed and sent out the Matthew Craven-trained pacer as the heavily supported $1.70 favourite.
Drawn gate three over the 2200m journey, driver James Herbertson bided time as the quicker beginners to his outside crossed to the pegs, and then worked forward to assume control at the head of affairs.
“James gave him a great trip once he found the front after going 500m and I was really pleased to see him put them away over the final stages.”
Herbertson rated Flash Jimmy to perfection in the tough conditions, posting a leisurely 62.6sec middle half before upping the ante with quarters in 28.1sec and 27.4sec to score by 11 metres in a rate of 1:58.7min for the 2200m journey.
My Ultimate Levi (Allan McDonough) and Jet Rock (Kerryn Manning) battled on gamely for the minor money after racing three-wide for the final lap. Right on their heels, Catch The Shark (Lochie Cook) and My Purple Patch (Jayson Finnis) also showed that their turn in the winner’s circle isn’t too far away.
All going well, Flash Jimmy will next line up in a heat of the Breeders Crown for three-year-old colts and geldings on November 4.
