Tamworth sprinter The Jackal smashed the $1 million prizemoney barrier and earned another trip to Sydney for next month's Group Two Expressway Stakes after ending a near year-long drought at Eagle Farm.The Paul St Vincent-trained The Jackal, ridden by Glen Colless, stormed home from midfield to land his first win since February last year in Saturday's Ambassador Travel Handicap (1200m).The eight-year-old downed Red Sphere by three-quarters of a length with the eye-catching run coming from third
Tamworth sprinter The Jackal smashed the $1 million prizemoney barrier and earned another trip to Sydney for next month's Group Two Expressway Stakes after ending a near year-long drought at Eagle Farm.
The Paul St Vincent-trained The Jackal, ridden by Glen Colless, stormed home from midfield to land his first win since February last year in Saturday's Ambassador Travel Handicap (1200m).
The eight-year-old downed Red Sphere by three-quarters of a length with the eye-catching run coming from third placegetter Dual Chamber who finished only a length away.
The disappointment was topweight Burdekin Blues who faded to finish seventh after showing blistering speed off his wide barrier to lead under his big weight of 61 kilograms.
Trainer Barry Baldwin said a return bout with The Jackal and a clash with boom sprinter Hay List in the Expressway Stakes was highly unlikely.
"They made him work to lead off his bad barrier but I'll see how he pulls up. I doubt very much he'll go down for the Expressway," Baldwin said.
An emotional St Vincent has found it hard to place The Jackal because of his dislike of wet tracks.
"This was only his third run since the Ramornie last July," St Vincent said.
"I brought him here for a race last year which was washed out then I brought him back for the George Moore last month and another race which also were washed out.
"I had no other option but to send him to Sydney for the Razor Sharp but it was a catch-up."
Colless revealed he has wanted to ride The Jackal for a long time and only secured the booking when rival Shane Scriven was required for Burdekin Blues.
"It was a top win and very solid. I've wanted to ride this horse for a long time but just haven't had the chance," Colless said.
The Jackal went into the race with $990,675 in prizemoney and collected a further $32,000 to take him past the $1 million mark.
Meanwhile, Lake George showed he was capable of taking the next step tothe Brisbane winter carnival following his easy 1-1/4 length win in the Stanton Mienert Plate (1805m) at his first start beyond 1600 metres.
Trainer John Morrisey was not present for the five-year-old's win but his son Scott said Lake George would have one more start ahead of a winter campaign.
"It was a pretty good win and he'll go around one more time before he goes to the paddock to prepare for the winter," Morrisey said.
"The Pentires take time and he's only just starting to come good.
"They didn't go very quick up front and Chris (Munce) made the right decision to go forward early."
John Morrisey is hopeful Lake George can measure up to the second-tier winter races including the Group Three Tattersall's Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm and Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) in June.