Australia: Race for apprentice jockeys at Ballarat led by Just Jake
The timing of a six-furlong handicap at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia on Thursday looks to be a perfect fit for the 4-year-old gelding Just Jake.
A winner of 3 of 17 starts, Just Jake was second by two lengths as the 4-1 favorite in a six-furlong handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on May 28 in his first start since December. Just Jake closed from sixth in a field of 11 to finish behind Galactic Express, a winner of two of his last three starts.
Just Jake, trained by Hanna Powell, was ridden for the first time on May 28 by apprentice jockey Matthew Cartwright, who has the mount on Thursday in a race restricted to apprentice jockeys. The May 28 race had similar conditions.
Cartwright has won with 5 of his last 50 mounts from April 25 through Saturday at tracks in greater Melbourne. Saturday, Cartwright won a lucrative handicap for 3-year-olds at Flemington Racecourse.
Thursday’s race at Ballarat will have a full field of 12 and is the fifth race on an eight-race program. The action begins at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Just Jake, trained by co-owner Hanna Powell, may go favored though there will be widespread support for Jacobe Queen and Tycoon Bucks.
Jacobe Queen has won 2 of 6 starts, but has not raced since a win in a six-furlong handicap at Mornington Racecourse in January. Jacobe Queen led throughout that race, but often races as a stalker. Laura Lafferty has the mount, seeking to end a 26-race winless streak since May 16.
Tycoon Bucks beat maidens in his eighth start at Ballarat in February and has had one subsequent outing, finishing fourth in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Feb. 24.
Tycoon Bucks will be ridden by Will Price, who has won with 4 of his last 50 mounts from May 15 through Monday.