By Duane Ranger
The Nicky Chilcott trained Jet Black Shadow looks a stand-out at Friday’s low-key Franklin Trotting Club’s meeting at Alexandra Park.
And the Cambridge horsewoman agrees saying the 4-year-old brown gelding and Waingaro Maro (race five) were the best of her six stable runners going around on Friday.
Jet Black Shadow went into his first race for five month’s at Alexandra Park last Friday with a four-length Workout win, also at Alexandra Park, six days earlier.
He beat The Orange Agent that day with a 2:01.7 mile rate. On Friday he will start from gate eight in the second event at – the $7,500 Riordan And West Mobile for C1 and C2 pacers.
The son of Jereme’s Jet, who is part-owned by racing scribe Barry Lichter, has won four of his 18 starts, and won and placed from three starts at Park, and over Friday’s 2,700m mobile.
As was the case last Friday, Jet Black Shadow has copped the wide marble again, but Chilcott thinks with last week’s run under his belt, he can overcome the tough draw this week.
“I couldn’t be happier with him. That was a super run last Friday. I knew I couldn’t win after 100 metres when Fiery Lustre went forward and we were forced to go back.
Then I had to go around them and I honestly thought on the turn he would finish fourth or fifth at best. That was a gutsy first-up run after a spell.
He always gives of his best. He can win that race on Friday,” Chilcott said.
AS for her thoughts on Waingaro Mara three races later, Chilcott said: “The colt went very well first-up at Alexandra Park a fortnight ago and then he was beaten by the draw (13) last week. He never got a go at them and he’s way better than that. He won both his workouts last month. He has a good draw tonight and should be right in the hunt.”
Meanwhile Tony Herlihy (MNZM) and Michelle Wallis/Bernie Hackett should go close to training the feature pacing and trotting events on Friday’snine-strong race card. Herlihy will rein Vice Consul in race six – the Bridgestone NZ Mobile for the C2-C4 pacers, and Jack MacKinnon will steer Very Persuasive for Wallis and Hackett in race eight – the Pokeno Bacon Handicap for the C1-C3 trotters.
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