Jess Tubbs executed a fine training performance after comeback pacer Fighter Command made a successful return to the racetrack in the Swift Signs Pace at Melton on Saturday night.
Fighter Command, who hadn’t been seen at the races since finishing down the track in The Eureka in September last year, enjoyed a cosy trip in the one out one back spot while the $1.55 favourite Bulletproof Boy worked to the early lead.
Jason Lee pulled Fighter Command ($4.20) out to stake his claim on straightening and the son of Always B Miki reeled off a slick 26.7 last 400 metres to score by two metres from Bulletproof Boy in a mile rate of 1:51.4.
Lee was suitably impressed at his first sit behind the winner.
“It’s a great thrill to get behind such a lovely horse and it’s been a great story with some speed bumps along the way,” Lee said.
“He’s always had great ability, and I remember speaking with Greg (Sugars) one night and he was saying that this bloke has got untapped ability.”
Tubbs said the decision was made to give the lightly-raced five-year-old a lengthy spell following his below-par performance in The Eureka.
“I had a full bone scan done on him after that run and his knees weren’t great, so we treated them and gave him a long break,” Tubbs said.
Tubbs outlined a couple of options for Fighter Command later in the season.
“There is obviously the Inter Dominion in Brisbane, and I’m not ruling that out, but at this stage it’s all about educating the horse, so we could also take him up there to contest the second-tier races,” she said.
“He’s still immature mentally, so my intention is to edge him towards free-for-all grade at his own pace.”
The win completed a stable double after Howdy Mate too returned from a spell in winning fashion in the IRT Trot.
Sent out a $2.15 favourite, Howdy Mate latched onto a three-wide trail down the back before James Herbertson pulled out four wide on the point of the home turn.
Howdy Mate cruised to the front half-way down the home stretch and appeared to have something in reserve as he scored from Claudys Hero and Heza Gun.
Tubbs admitted she was chuffed with the return of both horses.
“It’s always a bit special when they win first up,” she said.
Tubbs said Herbertson gave Howdy Mate an ideal run on his return to the track.
“Herbie looked after him and gave him plenty of time to settle and find his stride,” she said.
Tubbs said Howdy Mate was ready to renew acquaintances with Keayang Bazlenka to whom he was runner-up to in both the Breeders Crown and Vicbred Super Series finals last season.
“He has grown and got a bit stronger and seems to be better in his gait, so I’m looking forward to his clashes with Keayang Bazlenka in the good three-year-old races,” she said.
The David Barbetti-trained El Resamo topped $200,000 in prizemoney after he sprint-laned his way to victory in the Aldebaran Park Trot.
A $12 chance, El Resamo held the back of leader Hilltop Hugh from his inside second row draw and made full use of the lane, charging through to score by three metres from Kyvalley Maven.
After the race, Barbetti was in two minds whether to head north in July.
“I’m considering whether to take him up to Brisbane for the heats of the Inter Dominion – not sure whether he’d be quite good enough,” Barbetti said.
