Jack ready to top the charts

Victorian reinsman Nathan Jack is regarded as one of Australia’s most talented harness racing horseman and is much sort after by the top stables in his home state.

The 37-year-old has driven 2154 winners to date, included in those is an impressive tally of 30 Group 1 victories.

Jack will be looking to add another feature win to his resume when he contests Saturday night’s Bathurst Gold Crown final aboard leading contender Chart Topper (Captaintreacherous).

The youngster is a colt that Jack trains himself and he was ultra-impressive in his heat, leading throughout to defeat race favourite Ravishing Sloy by eight metres and recording a smart 1:56.8 mile rate.

For Jack, the win was most satisfying, stating that he knew his horse had the talent to race as he did last Friday night.

“He is a beautiful animal with some real talent,” said Jack.

“I always knew he had the ability to be able to be competitive in a series like the Gold Crown. 

“It was just a matter of getting him to produce it and I was really happy with his effort last Friday.” 

Chart Topper is owned by the Anderson and Cluse families, among Jack’s biggest supporters and clients that supply a lot of well-bred stock for him to work with.

“Both families have been great backers of my stable and have really helped me reach the level in the sport that I have been fortunate to have achieved,” said Jack .

“This guy was withdrawn from the sales as a yearling, but I really liked him.

“So, between all parties involved, we were able to negotiate a deal and it has really worked out well.”

Following Monday afternoon’s barrier draw where the colt came up with barrier one, connections of Chart Topper have become a little more bullish about his chances on Saturday night as some of their main rivals drew less favourably.

“I am really happy to have drawn the pole . . . as anyone would be,” he said.

“He has the gate speed to lead and that is my intention to be clear of any potential mishaps.

“Hopefully from there it can all fall into place for us to capture the Crown.”

Pre-post Crown favourite Soho Spectre (Rickie Alchin) had no luck in the barrier draw, coming up with the outside of the backline for the $200,000 feature.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW