Another Group One win for Im Ready Jet

A brilliant front running drive from Nathan Jack paved the way for Im Ready Jet (Quaker Jet) to chalk up another Group 1 success in the $75,000 Aldebaran Park Sumthingaboutmaori Mares Free For All at Melton. 

A well supported $2.50 second elect behind Queen Elida ($2.15 fav), Im Ready Jet was able to muster sufficient early speed to hold the front running from the inside alley while the favorite settled down last from her extreme draw. 

Jack had several looks around to see where Queen Elida was as he slowed the tempo in a 31.4 first quarter. 

Chris Alford finally flushed out Illawong Stardust in the back straight however Queen Elida struggled to make a lot of headway as Jack and Im Ready Jet tried to steal a winning break around the home turn. 

The move proved successful as Im Ready Jet held her rivals at bay scoring by four metres from Lady Adelia with Queen Elida two metres away third. 

I'M A STAR! ⭐️✈️
Anton Golino-trained and Nathan Jack-driven Im Ready Jet has soared to a second triumph in the Group 1 Aldebaran Park Sumthingaboutmaori Mares Trotters Free For All! pic.twitter.com/AKdiEISM5i

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) March 23, 2024

Jack said he realised the magnitude of the task confronting Queen Elida. 

“When Queen Elida was that far back it was always going to be hard for her especially when we got a really cheap lead time,” Jack said. 

“This mare has been a great mare and obviously the other mare has gone huge as well,” he said.  

Jack admitted he deliberately slowed the tempo to entice Alford to make a move on Queen Elida. 

“I knew I was going slow enough to purposely invite him to come around as she probably doesn’t run her best races that way and when Illawong Stardust went in front of Queen Elida that made it even harder,” he said. 

“She’s a great mare Queen Elida and sometimes you’ve got to drive to beat them.” 

Im Ready Jet, who won the race in 2022, has now achieved four Group 1 successes in a career that has netted more than $630,000 in stake earnings from 24 wins and a further 24 placings.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink