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Ross Stitt's stable star Youthful Jack will resume at Rosehill on Saturday following his successful raid of Tasmanian feature sprints during the Summer.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Youthful Jack resumes in the Open Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill this Saturday following a short spell and barrier trial win at Port Macquarie on Monday.
“He trialled at Port Macquarie and he went nicely,” trainer Ross Stitt said.
“It was just a soft trial and he ended up winning it by a head.
“I just wanted to see how he went in the trial yesterday and that has made my mind up.
“He is very big in condition however he will go around Saturday.”
The six-year-olds latest campaign follows a successful stint in Tasmania for Spreyton trainer Adam Trinder where the honest galloper put together three straight wins from as many starts.
Stitt's stable star made his Tasmanian debut when taking out the Listed Thetote.com.au Stakes (1200m) at Launceston before proceeding on to victories in the Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) and the George Adams Plate (1600m).
“It was a great result in the end,” Stitt said.
“I'd been down there previously and had a bit of a handle on the form. I thought to myself that the way he was going at the time it was a good opportunity to send him down there.
“The company is a little bit weaker down there and while I was hopeful of winning the three races but I wasn't really expecting it.
“All up he had about a month off. He had a week after the race in Tassie and then he came home and he was in the paddock here for about three weeks.
“He has been back in work for going on nine weeks when he races on Saturday.”
Youthful Jack doesn't possess a great first up record with just the one win from six starts.
The gelding however has resumed against much stronger company in the past than what he faces here having commenced campaigns finishing behind the likes of Northern Meteor, Love Conquers All and Swift Alliance.
“It is 1100m on Saturday and he should be more than competitive you would think,” Stitt said.
“You can take a line through a few of his races last campaign. He finished just a half length behind Tiger Tees in his final race before Tassie.
“He was far too good for Motspur in Tassie and he won the race at Scone on Saturday so the form around him isn't bad.”
The son of Youthful Legs wound back the clock last campaign, showing glimpses of the form which resulted in him becoming a multiple stakes winner during his two and three-year-old seasons.
“He had that throat operation three years ago and it took him forever to get over,” Stitt said.
“His breathing is as good now as it has been for years.
“It is amazing how he has gotten over it. You could always here him when he was working but now he just works like a normal horse.”
After claiming a sixth stakes win last preparation Stitt is hopeful Youthful Jack can make it lucky seven following his first up outing this Saturday.
“If he went reasonably well I'd look at the June Stakes and then the Ramornie which is the race I've always had in mind for him,” he said.
Following a Winter campaign, another trip to the Apple Isle could lie in store for the reliable galloper.
“If he is fit and well that's [Tasmania] is where he will be.”
Joining Youthful Jack on the float trip from Taree to Rosehill this Saturday is promising four-year-old Southern Shimmer.
The Southern Image gelding contests a Benchmark 85 Handicap (2000m) following his solid fourth in the Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) behind Canberra-based stayer Coliseo.
“As long as it is not wet the other horse I am taking down is Southern Shimmer,” Stitt said.
“He just hasn't had any luck this preparation but is a very smart horse.”