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Ellerslie specialist Joey Jonz may have staved off a jumping career for the time being after producing a bulldog like effort to score his fourth win on his favourite track when he triumphed in the Bridges Insurance 1600 today.
The nuggety gelding had been disappointing in his last three starts after scoring nicely at New Plymouth back in May. Trainer Rudy Liefting decided to change his routine after he finished a disappointing seventh at Trentham last time out so put him over the hurdles in a Cambridge trial last Monday.
That winning effort may have worked the oracle as he settled beautifully in the trail as Kindaleica set a steady pace at the head of affairs. Although travelling kindly for rider Lynsey Satherley at the entrance to the home straight the duo soon found themselves in trouble as veteran John Gray kept them pinned in a pocket as he moved up to challenge for the lead.A brief bumping duel occurred before Joey Jonz found galloping room to issue his winning challenge, striding to a one and a quarter length advantage over Kindaleica at the winning post with John Gray a further neck away in third.
“I didn’t actually give him much chance because he was carrying such a big weight,” admitted Liefting after the race.“To carry that weight and beat a good horse like John Gray he might be better than I thought.”
Liefting was also quick to acknowledge the impact the hurdle training had played in the victory.“He went to the hurdle trials on Monday and won so well that Aaron Kuru said he’d win on him first time over the jumps,” he said.
“He’ll be ready to go when he does step out in that role but after this win it might have put it on hold just yet.”Satherley had plenty of praise for her mount while noting that the improved track conditions had also been a factor in the gelding’s favour.
“He’s always been a nice horse and I think the better track helped as he really seemed to ping off that ground today,” she said.“He loves the game however after that hurdle trial the other day he did try and shy away from the ones down the back as he thought he might have to jump them!”