THIS is it.
The Jackal’s racing career could finish at Quirindi in today’s $25,000 Julie Green Real Estate Lightning Handicap (1100m).
Henry, as he is better known, runs his 67th race for Tamworth owner Paul St Vincent, who had sent him up to the Sunshine Coast to be trained by his son, Kane, in this most recent return to racing.
The Jackal has drawn awkwardly (for him) in two and has 62.5kg and Australia’s winningest jockey Robert Thompson on his back.
“We’re going to see if he wants to race,” Paul St Vincent said yesterday.
“If he wins or races well he’ll continue but if he doesn’t, that’s it.
“Having Robert on board is good too.
“He knows him and will be able to tell us whether he wants to race or not.”
Thompson was on board when The Jackal won his two Ramornie Handicaps at Grafton in a stunning career that has realised 14 wins and $1,049,675 in prizemoney.
“He hasn’t been over-raced,” Paul St Vincent said of the new 10-year-old gelding son of Bite The Bullet.
“It’s been a great journey,” St Vincent said.
“He’s taken us far and wide with plenty of thrills.
“I’ve also got One Gun in at Scone on Monday and if he doesn’t go any good he’ll retire with Henry too.”
St Vincent is hoping predicted rain stays away and doesn’t spoil what could be his retirement race.
The Jackal has never handled rain-affected going, his big sweeping stride doesn’t appear in any shifting surfaces.
The Jackal has always also been something of a barrier rogue and had to pass a trial in Brisbane to be able to race.
“His first start at Scone he was left unattended in the barrier and reared. Ever since he’s always played up and has been dodgy,” St Vincent said
The Jackal was rated a 16-1 chance in overnight betting markets for today’s feature sprint.
2011 Lightning winner Sarah’s Son, was a $4.50 favourite.
Walcha winner Tomcatnaround (Sue Grills) was one of three sprinters rated $7 second favourites.
Betting: 4.50 Sarah’s Son 7.00 Merconman, Spectacular Iam, Tomcatnaround 8.00 Riebeek 11.00 Lucky Ima Cugat, My Vegas 13.00 Higashi, Mt Rainier 17.00 Equable, The Jackal 21.00 So Choisay 26.00 Rocky Dancer