The NRRA Country Championships qualifier is on next Saturday at Coffs Harbour and last Tuesday’s Grafton meeting holds more than a few keys as how the race might unfold.
Following last Tuesday Grafton’s number one trainer John Shelton now enters the country championship qualifying day with a very full hand.
The two divisions of the Class 1 1200m have well and truly cast Shelton into the spotlight.
The Males division was won by Great Marlow ridden by Luke Rolls and whilst he was impressive enough in beating his rivals after coming from well back on the turn to sneak through on the rails and win with some authority, it was the victory of his stablemate just one race later that really got the tongues wagging.
Tara Jasmine ridden by Tegan Harrison had to firstly overcome an outside barrier then things were not made any easier when she was slow to jump being a clear third last after a couple of bounds.
Tegan gave her a dig and Tara Jasmine quickly found top gear to race up and join the leaders by the 800m mark. At this point Tegan would have been happy to let her travel but she was three deep and elected to go again and Tara Jasmine dashed for a second time to take control of the race by the 600m mark.
One in control Tegan steadied the ship for a couple of hundred meters before again slipping away at the 350m with Tara Jasmine quickening nicely and then exploding away over the concluding stages to score one of the most impressive wins seen at Grafton by a 3yo filly in years.
Not many many horses can make three runs in a race and almost no 3yo fillies.
Whilst it is a problem that many would like to have the question for John Shelton and the owners is ….where to now ?
An easy kill in set weight 1200m Class 2 at Coffs Harbour on Saturday, a shot at the $150k Country Championship Qualifier 1400m also on Saturday or off to Sydney for a Highway.
Whatever the decision there is no doubt she will have plenty of admirers wherever she goes.
Pic Tara Jasmine wins with ease.
Photo supplied by Trackside Photography 07 32165685
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