Top driver Nathan Jack is almost resigned to the fact his young trotting star Derek The Jet will taste defeat for the first time at Melton on Saturday night.
The gelding blazed his way to a perfect nine wins from as many starts last season, including Group 1 Vicbred final and rich Nutrien Sales final. He was crowned Australian 3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding of the Year.
Exactly a year since he last raced and won the Need For Speed final at Melton, Derek The Jet returns from a setback and “associated niggles” at the same track on Saturday night.
“It’s a tough way for him to return to racing,” Jack said. “I think he’s good, really, good, but he’s raced for just one season, all against his own age, and now he’s back from a year out and taking on the Inter Dominion and TAB Trot winner (Arcee Phoenix).
“It’s a huge ask, but I don’t have any other options. Under the handicapping system, this is the price he pays for being a good young horse.
“Last season he got to start as a maiden and work his way through the grades, now it’s straight into the biggest of big leagues.
“As good as I think he is, it’s hard to see him winning a race like this first-up. It’s not just Arcee Phoenix, but Jilliby Ballerini is one of the best trotters in the state, too. And my horse starts on level terms with her.
“This run, and probably the next few, are about conditioning him after so long out for when he gets to go back against his own age in the Vicbred and Breeders Crown towards the end of the year.”
The other challenge for Derek The Jet on Saturday is the standing start.
“I’m guessing to a large extent, too,” Jack said. “He hasn’t raced from a stand and he hasn’t even trialled from one since before his first start.
“I don’t think he’ll begin quickly. I’m glad he’s drawn the second row because I’m hoping following other horses out will help him step away.”
So, what’s a pass mark?
“Look, if he can step safely and put himself into the race, I don’t think he’ll be too far away because he’s just that good,” Jack said.
“As much as he’s done plenty of work and is really pleasing us, there’s nothing like racing for them, especially at this top level.
“I’d like to think, all going well, he won’t be far away at the finish and it’ll be a good foundation for us to build on.”
Jack’s optimism for the remainder of season is buoyed by the recent form of his brilliant young mare Violet Stanford, since she returned from a long spell.
“She hasn’t won, but her three runs in strong races have been encouraging,” he said. “She’s a lovely mare, but Derek works at home with her and blows her away.”
There will be much interest in Arcee Phoenix after his first-up sixth from an almost impossible 30m back mark at Menangle last Saturday night.
The superstar six-year-old will be fitter, stretches out to a more suitable 2760m and moves up 10m to a 20m handicap.
The other key player is much-improved young mare Jilliby Ballerini, who has won eight of her 10 starts this season, but switches to standing start racing for the first time.
