Accomplished reinsman Nathan Jack turned on a masterclass at Melton on Saturday night, driving a personal-best four winners.
Former Kiwi pacer Captain Moonlight launched Jack’s night when he proved too strong for his rivals after working to the lead with 1700 metres to travel.
Captain Moonlight ($7.50) comfortably held a three-metre margin over Ferrigno and Thunderfire at the finish to record his first win in Victoria since arriving at Russell Jack’s stable two months ago.
A winner of three races in New Zealand, Captain Moonlight is still a work in progress, according to Jack.
“We were confident that he would run well tonight, but I think we might need to make a few more gear changes on him to get the best out of him, but we quite like him,” Jack said.
Multiple Group 1 winner Fox Dan is locked away as Team Zav’s representative in the $1.5 million TAB Eureka after he outstayed his rivals in the Mimosa Homes Free For All.
Despite sitting parked outside leader My Ultimate Barney, Fox Dan ($1.35 fav) surged to the front halfway down the straight before holding off the fast-finishing Yambukian to score by a head in a slick mile rate of 1:51.5.
Fox Dan, who was runner-up to Bay Of Biscay in last year’s Eureka, is raced by Team Zav principal Danny Zavitsanos.
Jack was having his first drive behind Fox Dan.
“The camp gave me a lot of confidence, and if they’re confident it makes my job a lot easier that’s for sure,” Jack said after the race.
Jack believes Fox Dan is a genuine chance in The Eureka.
“I can’t see why not, he’s a great little racehorse with good manners and he’s a great trier,” he said.
Half an hour later, Jack made his third return to the winner’s stall in as many races when he steered Rapid Return to victory in the Aldebaran Park Trot.
The Group 1 winner was sent out at the surprisingly generous odds of $16 from the pole, and Jack gave the David Abrahams-trained mare the run of the race behind leader and $1.95 favourite Timmy Turtle.
Timmy Turtle appeared set for victory in the home straight, but Rapid Return refused to yield and grabbed the lead in the shadows of the post to score by a head in a mile rate of 1:57.
Jack admitted he was quietly confident Rapid Return would figure in the finish from the inside alley.
“She’s been trialling quite well and David gave her a push and said she was going to win last week before she galloped. It looked a good race for her on paper where she was going to map well,” he said.
“She’s a funny one where I scrubbed the ears off her early and I was never confident until the last 20 metres.”
The Emma Stewart-trained three-year-old Lowrider rounded out Jack’s quartet of wins when he easily accounted for his rivals in the Nevele R Stud Pace.
Jack expects Lowrider to have a bright future once the colt learns his ringcraft.
“He’s gone a 54.4 last 800 looping them and doing things wrong, so I’d hate to see what he’ll do when they sort him out,” he said.
Kate Gath also landed a winning double, saluting aboard the Emma Stewart-trained filly Bettor Beach and My Little Bo, who is trained by her husband Andy.
My Little Bo was rewarded for her consistency when she led all the way in the Hyland Racing Colours Pace.
“It was good once we found the top and it was her race to lose. She’s such a lovely horse and she’s one of the favorites as she is so good to do anything with,” Gath said.
The three-year-old Bettor Beach capped off her preparation for The Eureka when she outclassed her older rivals, leading all the way in the Dynamic Print Group Pace.
“I think she is a bit of a freak,” Gath said.
“She’s got gears, I didn’t even turn the whip forward or pull the plugs – I didn’t do anything except give her a bit of rein because Emma wanted her to do a little bit in getting ready for The Eureka,” she said.
The daughter of Bettors Delight will be the first three-year-old filly to contest The Eureka.
