Jack holds the key in $50,000 Smoken Up

Glenn Douglas believes Jack Laugher is the man who will shape the Smoken Up Sprint when he partners Torrid Saint (Shadow Play) in harness racing’s Group 2 feature at Melton on Saturday night (Oct. 1).

A noted quick beginner, Torrid Saint has drawn the pole and Douglas thinks Laugher will be in a position to decree who is likely to lead over the 1720 metre sprint trip.

“Jack should be able to dictate the race himself as to what happens in the early stages of the race,” Douglas, who works a large team of horses in Strathfieldsaye with wife Julie, said.

“Torrid Saint is probably regarded as a sit-sprint type of horse, but he showed when he led in the My Lightning Blue Free For All beating Lochinvar Art going 1:51.7 that he is more than just a one trick pony.”

Douglas said that particular race was the night the six-year-old announced himself as more than just an opportunist making up the numbers against the state’s elite pacers.

“This horse has crept up on everyone over the past 12 months,” he said.

“There has been no flair about him, he’s just a great little honest horse who has become tougher with age.”

While Torrid Saint is yet to win at Group level, he showed he has his hoof on the till with a last-start second behind New Zealand Cup aspirant Rock N Roll Doo in the Group 2 Kilmore Pacing Cup.

“He used to be a narrow-framed horse, but he is a lot wider now and the extra strength has enabled him to sit up closer, drop the bit and follow the speed regardless of how quick they are going,” Douglas said.

Douglas acknowledges the close proximity to the pegs provides Torrid Saint with a significant advantage.

“He loves the fence and doesn’t hang an inch, where as off it in the running line he can be wayward and you have to drive him,” he said.

“If need be, he can roll along in front on Saturday night, but in the end Jack (Laugher) will play it as it comes – let’s just say it will be an interesting first 300 metres.”

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by John Dunne, for HRV