Jack attempts Cup repeat

[Wandering Eyes]

It was early last spring when Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) almost pulled off a remarkable life-changing plunge, but there are no such lofty expectations as he returns to Flemington on Saturday.

Last September, the former Kiwi galloper, who was purchased by Symon Wilde and owners to become a jumper, was backed from $41 to start at $19 before running a half-length second in the Group 2 Archer Stakes (2500m), a race where the winner is exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup.

But this time around, he heads to Flemington to simply try and emulate his run of 12 months ago when he reveled in wet conditions to win the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m).

His trainer is not so wild about his chances this year, although he said he is expecting the horse to find his form this campaign after a bit of a sluggish start to his flat and jumps preparation.

“He had a wonderful prep 12 months ago when he came over from New Zealand,” Wilde said. “We bought him to jump but he really exceeded expectations on the flat.

“This time around, he hasn’t really recaptured that same sort of form. I think maybe he’s a really good wet-tracker and he hasn’t had the right conditions this season getting ready on some pretty hard tracks.

“I think it rained on that day last year in the Archer and it almost fell into place for him. This winter being so dry, he’s just not in the same sort of form. He seems well and if we get a downpour of rain, history could repeat and we could go back-to-back.”

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