Jumal could be Reid’s next star

Rangiora harness racing trainer Steven Reid thinks Jumal (Downbytheseaside) could potentially be the best juvenile pacer he’s trained.

“Monkey King never raced as a two year old because he used to get on his knees and jump out of his gear. Bailey (Bailey’s Dream) was right up there as a juvenile and Gold Ace was only okay at two. So potentially he’s the best juvenile I’ve had,” Reid said after the two year old colt powered home to win by six and three quarter lengths at Addington last night.

JUMAL REPLAY

Jumal will now head south for the $100,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic at Ascot Park this Sunday.

“I made a bit of a mistake last night because I took him on his own. I took him with a mate last time so last night he was a bit agitated. He wasn’t out of control, but he was playing up, pushing me around and really on his toes. But Sam said that as soon as he got on the track he was really relaxed.”

Owned by Malcolm Wrigley and Reid’s partner Bella Storer, the trip south will be Jumal’s first trip away and Reid’s first starter on the1000 metre Invercargill track.

“It will be a big trip for him but I’m bring another horse down with him – Rakero Lightning. The track I work him at home on is 870 and he gets round it pretty good. I don’t envisage it being an issue but we won’t really know until we have a go.”

Jumal was purchased for $95,000 as an unnamed yearling by Storer at last year’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

He was bred by Dave and Dawn Kennedy of Beaudiene Breeding and is out of Beaudiene Blinkz, a full sister to multiple Group winning mare Beaudiene Bad Babe and millionaire pacer Beaudiene Boaz.

Reid confesses that Jumal wasn’t on his list to buy.

“I don’t know why, because he’s out of a full sister to Beaudiene Boaz and I was the underbidder at the sales on him to Ray Green. It was a bit silly of me not to look at him. Bella said to me you might want to have a look. She took me round and as soon as I saw him I really liked him. He was a similar type to Beaudiene Boaz. The owner said he wanted to spend between $40,000 and $60,000 but I’d gone a full day at Auckland and Christchurch and I couldn’t get anything. I said to Bella just buy this one but I didn’t think he’d be that dear.”

Wrigley hasn’t had too many horses with Reid. He had shares in Stevie’s Two which won six races for Jeff Crough in the early 2000s.

“Over the years he’s had four or five with me. He’s had winners, but nothing of any note.”

Bella has had shares in a number of horses including Walkinonsunshine which is trained by Tom Bagrie and Takingcareofbusiness which Reid trained.

“I gave her ten percent of him for her birthday (laughter) when he was an unraced yearling. We ended up winning two with him and selling him for $70,000 so she’s had a bit of good luck.”

Reid is having a lot of luck with the progeny of Downbytheseaside with other winners from the Somebeachsomewhere stallion being Shake A Leg, Taketheplunge and Coastal Babe.

Taketheplunge also raced at Addington last night and looked like a certainty beat.

“He made me sit up. I’ve never really been that big on him. I really love the Downbytheseasides. They’re nice horses to deal with.”

Coastal Babe was last seen in November when she finished fifth in the Group One New Zealand Pacing Oaks.

“She had three months off because they (owners) tried to get an embryo transfer out of her. They had about three goes and it never took. She’s back in now and looks amazing.”

So where did the name Jumal (pronounced Ju Mal) come from.

“I’ve known Malcolm for years and years. His wife passed away about eighteen months ago. He said to me months prior to her passing that he just wanted to have a good horse and call it Jumal. His wife’s name was Judith and he’s Malcolm so that’s where it comes from.”

Reid said he’s known for a while that the colt had the potential to be good.

“At the minute he’s sort of got the all-round game. I’m very mindful of the fact there’s going to be plenty of good two year olds come out of the woodwork so you don’t want to get too carried away. When you drive him he gives you that real good horse feel and I’ve said that for three months.”

And now he thinks driver Sam Ottley is of the same opinion.

“I’ve given her the heads up that I like him. She’s got bigger and bigger on him and I think yesterday she’s starting to think that he might be pretty good.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink