Youthful Jack's managing owner Ross Stitt is baffled by critics who say the brilliant three-year-old is purely a wet tracker.The Allan Denham-trained gelding lines up in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday and comes into the race after a 3-1/4-length romp in the Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on a slow track on February 14.Course manager Lindsay Murphy said the Rosehill track was a good three on Friday and he expects the surface to remain that w
Youthful Jack's managing owner Ross Stitt is baffled by critics who say the brilliant three-year-old is purely a wet tracker.
The Allan Denham-trained gelding lines up in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday and comes into the race after a 3-1/4-length romp in the Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on a slow track on February 14.
Course manager Lindsay Murphy said the Rosehill track was a good three on Friday and he expects the surface to remain that way for raceday.
Youthful Jack has six wins and two placings from 10 starts on good tracks.
And two of his victories on that surface have been at stakes level in the Doomben Slipper and the Vo Rogue Plate.
"I've heard some people saying that he's just a wet tracker but you only have to look at his record to see that's not right," Stitt said.
"I don't think it would have mattered what surface he was on last start, he would have beaten them well anyway.
"There will always be critics but they should look at his win over Swift Alliance, that was on a good track and look what he did to him."
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Swift Alliance came into his clash with Youthful Jack at Randwick in November with a big boom on him after two impressive victories and started the $1.65 favourite.
Youthful Jack, who started at $4.20, was blocked for a run when ridden by apprentice Jamie Quinnell and only got out in the last 200 metres before defeating the popular elect by 1-1/2 lengths.
The Youthful Legs gelding has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by regular jockey Robert Thompson on Saturday.
"He had to draw an inside gate over 1400 metres with the rail out six metres, he'll get a lovely position from there," Stitt said.
"Robert was straight on the phone to me after the last start and said he had the money spent at the half-mile (800m), I hope that's the case again."
Stitt, a trainer at Taree on the NSW north coast, bought Youthful Jack for $5,000 and will be watching the race from the same place he did last time - his lounge room.
"I've got horses to look after up here but I'll make sure I'm done in time to make it back home for the race," Stitt said.
Stitt said there were plenty of options for Youthful Jack after Saturday including the Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 28.
"If he looks like he can stay in the Rosehill Guineas then we might press on to races like the AJC Derby I would think," Stitt said.
"But if he doesn't stay then we might ease off and go for the Doncaster."
The Group One AJC Australian Derby (2400m) is at Randwick on April 11 while the Doncaster Mile (1600m) is at the same venue a week later.