ALL AGAIN, Darren Jones and Lesley Jeffriess returned to Coonabarabran yesterday to reconquer the track and race the trio triumphed at four years ago with an even better performance in the 2012 $40,000 Pat Behn Wall Memorial Coonabarabran Cup (1600m).
Back in 2008 the trio won the 1600m feature by a head from the Con Karakatsani-trained favourite Jet Hawk with Dubbo galloper, Trippy, a half head away third.
All Again set a new track and race record that day, winning the 11th race of his career at the age of five.
Four years on and he’s won five more races since.
He started 8-1 back in 2008 and was the same price again but he pulverised his opposition, running away with the 2012 version for a three and a half length win from cups bridesmaid Kwilas Law (Luke Griffith).
Favourite (2.50) Are You Sure (Cameron Crockett) was a half neck away third.
All Again also bettered his 2008 winning time of 1min 33.51secs by running 1min 33.40secs yesterday.
To say Jeffriess was excited was an understatement.
“That was an even better win than 2008,” Jeffriess told The Leader after a champagne in the Coonabarabran Jockey Club committee room.
“A great win, especially at his age (9 years).
“Jonesie rode him an absolute treat, a great ride.
“He said he didn’t have to do much on him, he (All Again) did it all.
“But they have to sit on and have them in the right spot.”
That’s exactly what Jones did.
He stalked race leaders Flash Academy and Kalkie Miss into the straight, Jones peeling the chestnut son of Reenact off the fence entering the straight and only going around the one horse, Flash Academy.
While everything else was struggling in the middle of the track, the big flashy chestnut surged up the hill for a grand win.
“He’s been a fabulous horse for me,” Jeffriess said.
“He’s won a few Cups for me (including the Quirindi and Warren Cups) and now two Coona Cups.
“It’s a damn good race to win now too. $40,000 ($23,560 to the winner).
His $23,560 winner’s cheque takes his prizemoney to $247,290.
Jeffriess has no solid plans of where she’ll run him next.
“We’ll go somewhere, anywhere, that’s for sure.”
All Again has now won 17 of his 85 starts.