“Absolutely stoked. I thought he would go good and if he got to the top he would be a real chance of winning.”
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That was how Tamworth reinswoman Sarah Rushbrook summed up the win of Jackeroo Shannon at Tamworth Paceway on Friday night.
Rushbrook kicked off her night with the win in the opening event, the TAB.Com.Au.Pace.
“I wasn’t sure if we could get across to the lead but he got across and got a couple of nice easy quarters, which I was surprised with, and got home really nice,” she said.
Jackeroo Shannon, who Rushbrook also trains, had a connection to two major sponsors on the program and is raced by a syndicate of 10 owners which is headed up by Bearing Accessories manager Cameron Bullock.
“Cameron has got a group of friends and he really liked this horse and he said he wanted him,” Rushbrook said.
Bullock acquired Jackaroo Shannon courtesy of his father Peter Bullock who was also at the meeting sponsoring the Joan Bullock Memorial.
“I love the horse – he is beautiful. And all I know is there are about 10 people in the syndicate and they come from everywhere – Newcastle, Parkes, Tamworth, Narrabri, Cessnock are some of the places I remember,” she said.
“I have only really had him for two runs,” she added.
“It was a bit of see how we go, but he has been working really well.”
Rushbrook gained the lead from the four barrier.
“My plan was to just keep pushing and let them [the field] know that was my plan. Once I got the lead I was pretty happy then.”
Heading into the home straight on the final occasion, Rushbrook had a peek over her shoulder to see He’s Our Boy (Paul Grima) gaining momentum.
“He’s Our Boy came pretty quick and I know that horse can sprint and I know he is a good horse,” she said.
“I got driving pretty hard when he got to my wheel.”
Jackeroo Shannon went on for a 3.9 metre win over He’s Our Boy, with I Will Be Famous (Tim Varga) 5.4 metres away third.
With Teal Campaign for Ovarian Cancer being conducted in February, Rushbrook was the first into the winner’s circle to gain a $200 donation from Harness Racing NSW to the important cause.
“That is my first win in the teal pants” said Rushbrook, who was also celebrating her birthday.
Jackeroo Shannon paid $31.30 for the win.
“Most of my winners are long odds because I don’t get very many of them” joked Rushbrook. “They are few and far between so I shouldn’t be surprised.”