Jackson Painting firing on all cylinders

Riverina harness racing trainer driver Jackson Painting has been in rare form of late and this was evidenced by his remarkable feat of four winners at last Friday’s Wagga meeting.

Three year old gelding La Cavalletta (Vincent) started the ball rolling with a convincing all the way win in the TAB App pace. Working his way to the front, La Cavalletta never looked in any danger and rated 1.55.7 in his fourteen metre victory.

“We’ve had him for his three year old days” explained Painting. “His previous trainer Russell Jack was looking to move him on so I bought him for a client”. “He’s a beautiful horse ticks all the boxes and should go through the classes in this company” he added.

Another three year old Otto’s Wealth (He’s Watching) won the next event on the program the Yirribee Stud Pace. Similar to his stablemate La Cavalletta, Otto’s Wealth found the lead but it did take him over a lap to head off Bettes Blue Violet and then he had to hold off a late challenge from Our Rocky. Once again it was an impressive mile rate of 1.55.9.

“He’s got a bit of bottom to him” indicated Painting. “He was previously with Stephen Maguire who was at his wits end with him. But now he’s working with other horses and is more settled”.

Painting’s treble came the way with his highly promising filly This Time (Captain Crunch) in the Taylor Maurer Remax Elite Three year old pace. The lightly raced filly having only her fourth start worked to the front and then in a desperate finish held off the fast finishing Jilliby Ryder and Tuffasoldboots.

Painting has a high opinion of This Time. “She has super speed and very green. I think she’s got a really big future. We will have a go at the Victoria Oaks in mid October. When the penny drops she has high speed”.

“She’s done a terrific job. We bought her in New Zealand.”

Painting’s fourth win was with filly Fear The Pain (Fear The Dragon) in the Jacinta Bodel Homes Ladyship Pace. Contrary to the previous front running efforts of his previous wins, Painting had to settle Fear The Pain back near the rear of the field. Despite being three and four wide on the final bend Fear The Pain stormed down the centre of the track to snatch win from Treacherous Belle and Kimcando.

FEAR THE PAIN SEP 12 REPLAY

Fear the Pain’s effort was considered to be the run of the day in her mile rate of 1.54.4. And for that performance Fear The Pain has earned a crack at a higher echelon of racing.

“She’s going down to Mick Stanley’s stables at Menangle to race in that company. When they reach that level of going to regular metropolitan class it’s best to send them on as I’m a long way from both Sydney and Melbourne.”

Painting almost made it five for the day in the final event of the day but Ohoka Nico after securing an inside run could not withstand the late challenge of Just Rollyourown.

“He’s a nice horse. He was held up but he’s a sit and sprint type.”

Painting’s big day came only one week after his classy two year old Bogdanavic (Fear The Dragon) snatched victory in the $100,000 Cobbitty Equine New South Wales Breeders Challenge Blue Final for the colts and geldings.

And Bogdanavic now gets his chance for more glory with the forthcoming New South Wales Nutrien Equine Breeders Challenge. He will take his place in a Heat at Wagga this Friday with Painting hoping that he progresses to the Final at Menangle on 25 October.

Painting’s winning run just continues and last night at Leeton he drove Somebody’s Girl (Rock N Roll Heaven) for Len Clement to an all the way win in the Symtek Electrical Pace.

A familiar face at all the Riverina tracks it’s fitting that Painting who is based at Narrandera is able to win races on a consistent basis. It’s especially challenging for trainers based outside Menangle and Melton who have long distances to travel to metropolitan venues as well as local tracks. He’s now reaping the rewards of hard work and that is reflected in his 881 wins as a driver and 303 wins as a trainer. And with his team currently on fire that record is bound to only increase.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink