17 September 2019 | Tim Walker
OUR JIMMY JOHNSTONE STILL HAS APPETITE FOR RACING
Young reinsman Bailey McDonough says veteran pacer Our Jimmy Johnstone is more than capable of measuring up in feature races over the summer, should connections decide to head that way, following his win in the James Brennan Memorial (2536m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The 11-year-old proved age was no barrier in the $50,000 event, as he scored a comfortable 2.1m victory over stablemate El Jacko.
Owner Rob Gartrell indicated on Friday night the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups may prove to be a bridge to far for Our Jimmy Johnstone, but McDonough told TABradio on Monday morning the winner at 28 of his 118 starts was still capable of matching it with the state’s best pacers.
“He felt good during the run,” McDonough said.
“This is probably the best of Our Jimmy Johnstone.
“This horse is going as well as ever and he proved that on Friday night.
“Mr Gartrell said they’d assess after each start and go from there.
“He probably could be a force in those races with the right draw, but we will just play it by ear.”
Our Jimmy Johnstone finished fifth in the WA Pacing Cup earlier this year, while he was well beaten in the Fremantle Cup a week earlier.
Prior to Friday night, the Greg and Skye Bond-trained gelding’s most recent win came on June 1, 2018 and has since run six placings from 23 starts.
The son of P Forty Seven had some issues getting settled at the mobile which had forced him to retire from a race five starts back.
McDonough said he was worried for a moment in the score-up on Friday night, but was impressed with how he eventually settled.
“I was worried going up to the gates (because) he started cantering as he did a few weeks ago for me,” he said.
“I felt pretty confident with how he travelled.
“He’s been pretty green and up and down with his form.
“He’s had a few problems at home that were all sorted obviously.”
Following Our Jimmy Johnstone’s win on Friday night, Ross Olivieri trained the last four winners on the program.
Chris Voak teamed up with Atmospherical and Space Junk, before Chris Lewis guided Oliveiri’s other two winners Joe With The Flow and The Dali Express home.
Tim Walker
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