The rise of Miss Jessica

The improvement shown by trotting mare Miss Jessica (Master Glide) over the last three months is an early season highlight in the Southern Harness Racing season to date.

After winning at her second start at Forbury Park in December 2019 it took another thirty starts for her to win her second race, at Ascot Park in November 2020. Eleven months and thirty two starts later she won her third race and from that point her form line has read 1345431, the latest win happening at the Wairio meeting today (Mar. 30).

“I think it’s the equine massage and easing up on the amount of times we work her. She only has one hard run and goes 25 minutes on the lead on the jogger just galloping,” trainer Tim Robertson said.

He said there’s no doubting the mare’s talent and the purchase of an equine massage machine has been the turning point.

“Nothing else seemed to be working so I said, ‘bugger it we need to do something different.’ I bought the massage machine. It was a bit of an investment, but it’s paid for itself. She has a massage after every fast work run for about an hour.”

Roberson says taking her to the front suits Miss Jessica’s style of racing.

“That’s her go. She doesn’t have too much of a sprint. She’s a run them into the ground sort of girl.”

And that’s how junior driver Tom Nally drove the mare today. From the front, he opened up some big breaks, then gave the mare a breather before picking up the pace again. She ran her rivals off their feet and Ruby Seddon (Majestic Son) got close three and a half lengths away in second place. Nally’s drive proved to be perfect.

After the seven-year old’s win today Robertson plans to head to Addington on Easter Saturday for a shot at getting a Premier win.

“Hopefully Tom can go up. He’s able to drive her now. Now he’s got his fifteenth win. I can’t, (laughter) I’ve only driven six winners.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink