Jan Bowen will step stakeswinner Jest Crewsin' up into uncharted territory on Saturday in a move designed to avoid star sprinters Hay List and Hot Danish in a couple of weeks time.The sprinter will take his place in the Little Bottler Handicap at Rosehill, his first attempt at 1400 metres."I've decided to take him back to Sydney this week because the only other real option for him in the next couple of weeks is the Expressway Stakes, and horses like Hay List and Hot Danish will be there," the Mu
Jan Bowen will step stakeswinner Jest Crewsin' up into uncharted territory on Saturday in a move designed to avoid star sprinters Hay List and Hot Danish in a couple of weeks time.
The sprinter will take his place in the Little Bottler Handicap at Rosehill, his first attempt at 1400 metres.
"I've decided to take him back to Sydney this week because the only other real option for him in the next couple of weeks is the Expressway Stakes, and horses like Hay List and Hot Danish will be there," the Muswellbrook-based Bowen said.
"I thought I would back him up quick for this one on Saturday and then a few weeks later there's a couple more suitable races.
"There's really nothing else for him at the moment because next week there's a Benchmark 85 over 1200 metres where he'd get 62.5 kilograms and the week later is the Expressway.
"I would rather a 1200 or 1300-metre race but I'm going to try him over the 1400."
Jest Crewsin' has had an eventful preparation so far which has been both frustrating to start with and also thrilling for Bowen.
The five-year-old was ordered to barrier trial by stewards after he was reluctant to leave the mounting yard and load into the barriers first-up at Rosehill on December 4 when finishing eighth to Monton.
Bowen then trialled him at Scone and Newcastle before the gelding returned to Sydney and started the new year with a bang, claiming the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on January 1.
His most recent effort was a solid sixth to Pinwheel in a high-class Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m) under lights last Friday.
Despite preferring a slightly shorter distance for Jest Crewsin', Bowen is confident the son of Brahms will run 1400m and believes the tempo at that distance could even suit the Carrington winner better.
"I'm hoping that it's the distance that he wants," Bowen said.
"They have had to be hunting him early to have him up with them (in the shorter races) and he's still been finishing off. He won't have to go so hard early (over 1400m) and hopefully he'll still finish off strongly."
Jest Crewsin' has won eight of his 34 starts and was a $14 chance with TAB Sportsbet on Friday.
The Peter Snowden-trained last-start winner Parthian was favourite at $4.20.