The Group III MRC Manfred Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on Australia Day featured a host of exciting three year-olds resuming from a spell, but there was a short priced favourite in Golden Rose winner Jacquinot.
The Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr trained son of Rubick was using the race as a stepping stone towards Group I goals this campaign and was able to overcome difficulty to post a narrow win under his top weight of 59.5kg.
Jacquinot took time to gather speed from his inside draw and Damian Lane found himself stuck behind horses on the fence, but when the colt finally got enough room to lengthen stride he zoomed to the line.
Jacquinot dived late to beat promising Maurice (Jpn) colt Bank Maur by a head with previously unbeaten Tavistock filly Ruthless Dame another head away in third place.
"He's got that big, long stride and he was in an awkward spot behind a longshot and Damian did a good job to get him off the fence," Kent Jnr said.
"The horse is very game. It's not easy to come up underneath them, but he kept coming.
"It was a short turnaround from the Coolmore to today, but he's done a terrific job and it's two-and-a-half weeks and up in trip to the C F Orr, so it will be perfect for him.
"He's got a lot of improvement to come. It was a very smart win and bring on the C F Orr."
Damian Lane has a great association with Jacquinot and was thrilled with his performance.
“He’s an impressive horse who keeps improving and it’s great to have him back in such great order,” he said.
“Although he didn’t have long off, he’s filled out nicely and we’re excited for the autumn ahead.”
It was the first win for Jacquinot under his new ownership group headed by Widden Stud and Qatar Bloodstock in whose colours he runs.
The Rubick colt has four wins from nine starts earning $1.9million in prizemoney and looks a great candidate to make the leap to WFA company this autumn.
Retained to race by his breeders after passing in as a yearling, Jacquinot was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is the first foal of unraced Pierro mare Ponterro, a sibling to Group I winner Inference, Group II winner Dragon Leap and stakes-winner Illation.
Ponterro had a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) last spring and was then covered by Rubick’s Everest winning son Yes Yes Yes.
