Jackson stars again on home soil
Shane Jackson last month took home training honours at his hometown Warrnambool May Carnival, and on Sunday, the Irishman celebrated another memorable moment at The 'Bool when his promising jumper Andy Win (NZ) (Almanzor) registered a comprehensive victory in the A$100,000 Lafferty Hurdle.
Sent off as the $2.70 second favourite behind Clayton Douglas’ Mr Waterville ($2.40), Andy Win raced third throughout most of the 3200-metre trip, before tackling the Ciaron Maher-trained Ongatiti at the second-last jump.
Jockey Tom Ryan sent Andy Win to the front ahead of the last and from there he wasn’t for the catching.
Andy Win scored by 11 lengths, with Mr Waterville, second and Ongatiti third.
“It was great,” Jackson told Racing.com.
“You get more nervous and more of a thrill today than I ever was riding in this race. I won it on a legend of a horse in Gold Medals and it was one my first big winners over here (in Australia), I suppose, but nothing beats that.
“Geez, he’s a tough horse.
“It was a strong win.”
A five-year-old gelded son of Almanzor, Andy Win boasts three wins and a second from four starts over hurdles.
“I know the conditions suited, and probably didn’t suit the rest of them, but I think he’s improving with every run. He’s hurdling so much better now; he’s really quick and sharp over the hurdles,” Ryan added.
