Stable connections were stunned yesterday when informed they had drawn barrier three.

“He drew three and carried number three last year too,” said Kane St Vincent, son of owner/trainer Paul St Vincent.

“That’s amazing. You wouldn’t credit it would you.”

In a brilliant campaign, The Jackal won the Prime Minister’s Cup, Healy Stakes and Ramornie before going for a spell.

This preparation he’s been hindered by wet tracks and some niggling illness and injury.

He’s spent much of his year on the Sunshine Coast where Kane has been working him for his father.

“He’s been working good – worked really good this morning but he’s not as race-fit as he was last year,” Kane said.

“He had a month between runs and then it’s nearly been a month since his run in the Healy Stakes (10th).

“He’s done plenty of work. He hasn’t missed any work, just missed the racing with the wet tracks.

“He’s forward enough to win the Ramornie again though.”

That he will carry number three and jump from barrier three again is uncanny, Kane reckons.

“I was talking to Robert (Thompson) the other day.

“He asked what barrier we wanted and I said anything as long as it wasn’t one or two.”

Barrier three wasn’t a problem last year.

“He was a bit slow away but Robert sat him one off the fence and then slowly went around them.

“It was a great win, one we’ll always remember. Can’t wait for Wednesday.”

The St Vincents have already won two races at the 2008 Grafton Carnival, winning with Billy Ripa last Thursday and then Rhythmofthenight on Sunday.

Kane admits there was plenty of celebration Sunday night and hopes The Jackal can help Thompson somewhere near the 3322 Australian riding wins record held by Jack Thompson.

Thompson is six shy and has forged a successful bond on The Jackal, winning last year’s Healy Stakes and Ramornie Handicaps on the extravagantly-actioned chestnut nicknamed Henry.