Jack Laing chasing Bletchingly Stakes boilover with Machinist

Cranbourne trainer Jack Laing would be a popular man with his colleagues at his day job if Machinist can cause an upset in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.

Jack Laing, pictured working on level crossing removals (left), will saddle up Machinist in the Bletchingly Stakes on Saturday. Pictures: Supplied, Getty Images

A lot has happened in the eight years since Jack Laing led in a winner of the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes.

Laing was starting out in racing under the tutelage of his father, Cranbourne trainer Robbie Laing, when he played a part in Lord Of The Sky’s win in the 2016 Bletchingly Stakes.

“I was 19 and I strapped him,” Laing said.

“I was working for dad at the time doing what I suppose you’d call my apprenticeship or work experience.

“Lord Of The Sky was the stable favourite because dad bred him as well given that he bought and trained Danerich and he also bought his dam (Princess Abassi) as a broodmare.”

That memorable day in July 2016 was one turn in the life of Laing, who soon after started a journey to chase his dream of making it as a boxer after five successful mixed martial arts bouts.

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Laing had more than 20 fights, losing only once, on the amateur circuit before injury and a lack of appropriate places to train put a halt to his time in the ring.

“I lost only one fight, where I broke my hip in the amateurs, and I was really into the fight game because I was keen to go to the Commonwealth Games,” Laing said.

“I’ve basically been on the bench injured since then but I’ve participated in a couple of those charity fights through racing and they were really good events.”

Machinist will attempt to give Cranbourne trainer Jack Laing a dream result with an upset win in Saturday’s Bletchingly Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Laing’s dedication to boxing has left him with a few niggles that he is working on sorting out while juggling training his small team at Cranbourne as well as his day job working in the construction industry on Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal projects.

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“I’ve backed off a hell of a lot from the fight game now because I’m 28 in August, like all the horses, I’m 27 rising 28,” Laing said.

“Every two months there’s a new injury. I’ve had a pelvic and hip reconstruction, that’s come good now but I’ve got to get a surgery on my ankle as well.

“It might be getting to the stage where I might have to hang the gloves up because the body keeps breaking down.”

Laing gets up at 3am to work and feed his six-strong team, all of which are either owned by himself or close family friends, before heading off to a site in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to work ahead of returning to his stables for afternoon feeding of his horses.

Lord Of The Sky winning the Bletchingly Stakes in 2016. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Laing’s charge Machinist is a $41 chance to make the hard work worthwhile in Saturday’s edition of the Bletchingly Stakes with a son of Lord Of The Sky.

Machinist ran second to Moonhaven in a Benchmark 78 race at Flemington last Saturday but steps up to Group 3 company on Saturday.

As one of only seven acceptors, Machinist only needs to complete the course to earn $4000 prizemoney for his connections but finishing in the top four would bring in more than double that amount.

Laing said forecast rain hitting Caulfield would enhance Machinist’s chances of outperforming his odds.

“Regardless of how it pans out, he’s going to pick up some prizemoney,” Laing said.

“I think the 1200m will suit him, especially being rock hard fit.

“If enough water hits the surface, he might be a sneaky little chance.”

But, no matter how Machinist performs at Caulfield, Laing will be back on the tools on Monday morning.

Originally published as Jack Laing chasing Bletchingly Stakes boilover with Machinist