Nathan Jack has his next generation of stars ready to lead a northern assault on Bathurst's two-year-old Group 1s Saturday night, eager to emulate the stable's 2023 success.
His Gold Crown hopeful Sanchez, a colt by Captain Treacherous out of Senora Rapido who was bought at the 2021 Nutrien Equine sale for $160,000, finished second in his March 22 heat and Jack is optimistic about an improved effort in the $150,000 final.
“He has had a lot better week this week, he had a bad week last week and he was bit off in the heat,” Jack said.
“I was quite disappointed with his run in the heat actually, he is much better than that, so I am hoping he runs a much better race this week.”
The 38-year-old reinsman has had big wraps for Sanchez since seeing him as a yearling, prompting the second highest price at the New South Wales Nutrien sale.
“Sanchez was just a great type, that’s what you look for, horses that you think are going to make it in two-year-old races,” he said.
Saturday night he will also have a Group 1 steer on Our Special Memory, trained by his dad Russell, who goes around in the $150,000 A.OK Fabrication Gold Tiara Final. The two-year-old filly won her heat and has drawn gate seven in the big one.
“She has been good, the barrier draw has not been very kind to her, but she seems good,” he said.
Jack is prominent among a Victorian assault on the Gold Crown at 9.57pm, which also includes Clayton Tonkin's Fox Dan, Mick Stanley's Soho The Real Deal and Russell Jack's Jacks Ultimate Fury, while Our Special Memory is the lone southern raider in the preceding Gold Tiara final at 9.25pm.