Nathan Jack pulls a rabbit out of the hat

When the barrier draw for the final of the Southern Star was being televised at Melton Entertainment Park last Saturday night (Feb 3), astute reinsman Nathan Jack raised more than a few eyebrows when he opted for barrier 10 on the outside of the back row.

Even Anton Golino, trainer of Jack’s drive, the French import Callmethebreeze (Trixton), said in a pre-race interview that he would have preferred being off the front row.

Jack was left with three barriers to choose from in the $300,000 G1 event – he could have gone for six or seven off the front but surprised by selecting 10. Six then went to Majestuoso, while Just Believe was left with barrier seven.

But Jack’s decision demonstrated his genius as a tactician.  He burst through the field early, and in so doing held out his main rival Just Believe who came across hoping to slot in to a cosy spot.

“If I had of been off the front there was an early burn with a lot of speed, and it’s so hard when you are up against champions,” Jack said later.

“I thought Blue Coman in barrier nine beside me would head to the fence, so I was always going to be in the running line and doing no work. Just Believe was three wide before working forward. At the top of the straight, Greg (Sugars) wasn’t getting away from me with Just Believe so I knew I was a big chance.”

In one of the greatest head-to-head battles seen in years, Callmethebreeze got up by a neck to defeat Just Believe.

And the scene is set for many more exciting tussles between these two horses and drivers over the season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink