After almost spoiling the party for Point King in The Archer in terms of gaining a Melbourne Cup start, versatile stayer Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will be aimed at a lesser race on the same day in the inaugural The Australian Heritage Cup.
The Symon Wilde-trained Hit The Road Jack was the only horse in The Archer not nominated for the Melbourne Cup, and in a slogging finish went down narrowly to Point King who gained a ballot-free exemption into the big race.
Co-trainer Liam Hoy said when they saw it was going to be a wet track they decided to have a throw at the stumps.
“He ran a great race. Jamie Kah on Point King said to Harry Coffey they had a great duel, and he made the other horse keep surging,” Hoy said.
He said the introduction of the new staying event on Melbourne Cup, The Australian Heritage Cup, was an ideal race to set Hit The Road Jack for.
The Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) is restricted to Australian and New Zealand-trained stayers and replaces the Benchmark 96 over the same distance.
There are six qualifying races for the event with one held in each state. The Victorian qualifying race will be held at Caulfield on October 16 with a Benchmark 84 (2400m).
“He’d be a beauty for the Heritage Cup. That would be a perfect race for him as he’s now had two starts at Flemington for a first and a second. “
Before The Archer, Hit The Road Jack was placed in two hurdle races.
“We just wanted to see how he came through his second at Ballarat in the hurdle and with the wet weather there was no reason to turn him out,” Hoy said.
“That’s going to be the key going forward as well, as the key to him is the wet tracks. There’s no reason to put him out when there’s a bit of give in the ground.”
Hoy said stablemate Dashing Duchess proved she couldn’t handle the heavy conditions and she struggled in them to finish sixth.