Long Jack will attempt to blaze a new trail from the Ballarat synthetic track to the oldest Group One classic in Australia at Flemington after a decisive maiden win on Friday.
The son of So You Think, who had been runner-up at his only two starts in New Zealand, showed he was worthy of a Victoria Derby campaign when he dominated a 1400-metre maiden at the cramped odds of $1.55.
Leading jockey Damian Lane had been recruited for the ride and he said later that although the colt had plenty to learn, Long Jack had the ability to make an impact this spring.
“He’s very new still,” Lane said. “He’s a green horse so he’s probably never going to really put them to the sword, especially being out in front so early, but he’s a nice colt and he’s got plenty of upside.
“He’ll definitely get out over further. How far I am not sure at this stage but definitely further than today’s trip.”
Long Jack holds an entry for next month’s A$2 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) but it might be the 2500-metre Victoria Derby where he is best suited.
He is by the 2010 Melbourne Cup placegetter and dual-hemisphere weight-for-age star So You Think and is out of a Monsun mare – Extravaganza – with that stallion having supplied three Melbourne Cup winners (Fiorente in 2013, Protectionist in 2014 and Almandin in 2016) over a four-year period.
Co-trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman flew a trio of gallopers across to Australia last Sunday with Long Jack joined on the flight by Saturday’s Feehan Stakes candidate The Chosen One and weight-for-age galloper Madison County.
