Shane Edmonds’ trained runner sizzles in sprint named after country racing legend

Grafton trainers and jockeys were among the winner’s circle when racing returned to the Clarence River Jockey Club after torrential rain forced last week’s meet to be abandoned

Cocky Rocky broke through for Inverell trainer Shane Edmonds in Monday’s $22,000 The Jackal Flying Open Handicap (1100m) to close out a massive day of racing action in Grafton.

Edmonds has had the five-year-old chestnut gelding for just three starts, for a ninth at Walcha and a pair of seconds at Grafton and Moree heading into this sizzling sprint named after one of the legends of country racing.

While he hadn’t won for Edmonds he’d shown plenty to keep the former champion jockey interested.

Edmonds also praised young jockey Jackson Murphy.

“He’s got great hands, it makes a big difference,” Edmonds said as he looks forward to more success with Cocky Rocky although that might not be for a little while.

“I might give him a little break now. Give him a break and bring him back for the Mother’s Gift here (July Carnival). I might lay off a bit on him now.”

Cocky Rocky burst clear to beat a good field Zac Attack second and the Sue Grills-trained Attila a closing third after being second last at the 600m.

Coffs Harbour trainer Aiden St Vincent also started So Shy in the race but finished unplaced in a race where the gelding ran in The Jackal’s colours.

Memories of The Jackal, a $20,000 purchase by Aiden’s father, Tamworth owner/trainer Paul St Vincent, flooded back.

Aiden rode plenty of work on the horse they nicknamed Henry and celebrated some famous victories at Grafton when the big Bite The Bullet gelding with the distinctive racing style won successive Ramornie Handicaps in 2007-2008.

Robert Thompson drives The Jackal home to win a second Ramornie Handicap. Photo: The Daily Examiner

The first year he went close to breaking the Ramornie race record when he ran 1min 08.35 secs.

The next year he came back and did break it, running 1min 08.02 secs, a mark that stood until broken by Rock Royalty in 2015 and then by Calanda when the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained sprinter stopped the clock at 1min 7.56 secs when winning the 2017 edition.

The Jackal is one of seven horses to have won multiple Ramornie Handicaps. Cuban Song holds the record, winning four in succession from 1933 to 1936.

Trovatore (1955-56), Develope (1970-71), High Classic (1980-82), Credit Again (1986-87), and Havasay (2018-19) join The Jackal (2007-08) as dual winners of the 1200m Listed Race.

Paul St Vincent, a former golf pro turned trainer, paid $20,000 for the son of Group 3 and when the affectionately named “Henry” had completed his 74-race career he’d amassed 15 wins and some $1,070,810 in prizemoney.

It included the two Ramornie wins as well as a Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm and a Prime Minister’s Cup at the Gold Coast.

In all he won five races at Rosehill, four at Eagle Farm as well as Tamworth, Scone, Quirindi, the Gold Coast and his two memorable Ramornies at Grafton.

“They are great memories,” Paul St Vincent said.

“Winning back to back Ramornies was special. Great they (the CRJC) acknowledge him especially at this time of year too with the Carnival coming up.”

Paul St Vincent and a rugged up Henry (The Jackal) at home in Tamworth on a cold and sunny morning.

Paul said that he too was appreciative of the help, guidance and mentoring he received from Tamworth trainer Merv Corliss.

Sadly Merv is no longer with us but it was his trips to Grafton that he and Paul looked forward to every year.

“We couldn’t wait to get there,” he recalled.

And even better when “Merv won the Grafton Cup with Akwazoff (1997)”, Paul said.

“Tamworth’s link with Grafton has been amazing too.

“Jardel won two Cups in the ‘70s as well and Stormhill (trained by Timmy Martin) also won the Grafton Cup (2005).”

There were many winners from Tamworth and the North West with the legendary Keith Swan (based at nearby Somerton) winning Ramornies and many other races. He was also named trainer of the carnival one year.

His niece, Sue Grills, also continues to have success in Grafton and also trained the outstanding Border Rebel, who ranks with Akwazoff, The Jackal and Jardel as the city’s best racehorses.

Earlier in the day Grafton mare Charice led and fought on doggedly to break through on her home track.

Grafton trainer Dan Want.

The Daniel Want-trained mare, a four-year-old daughter of Reset, was having her fifth race start and used the inside barrier (1) perfectly to win the Kensei Club Available Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap (1100m).

She had fought on bravely at her most recent start but finished a game second to Love A Diamond over 1020m.

“I thought today might be the day for her,” Want said after the victory.

“The one gate meant she could lob where she wanted.”

Kirk Matheson said she jumped well, settled well and “got the job done”.

Earlier, fellow Grafton trainer John Shelton also broke through for a maiden win with Queens Will Dream.

Grafton trainer John Shelton.

The four-year-old daughter of Dream Ahead was having her 13th start and resumed from an ordinary seven length 11th at Inverell on January 1 in fine style.

It was Shelton’s 14th win of the Northern Rivers Racing Association season, placing him third on the trainer’s premiership behind Murwillumbah’s Matt Dunn (38) and Coffs Harbour’s Brett Bellamy (16).

Luke Rolls piloted Queens Do Dream to her maiden win and handed him his 24th of the NRRA season leaving him behind only Matt McGuren (46), Ben Looker (28) and Ray Spokes (26).

His 25th winner of the NRRA season came in the third race when he box-seated with the Shane Everson-trained Moringa’s Heimie to win the $22,000 XXXX Gold Maiden Handicap (1100m).

Grafton trainer Shane Everson. Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner

Rolls biggest problem was ensuring the gelding raced straight.

“He wanted to hang out,” he told Thoroughbred Central’s Gary Kliese.

While he’s having a good season so too is Grafton trainer Shane Everson. He moved up to equal fifth on the NRRA Trainer’s Premiership with his eighth winner.

Moringa’s Hiemie has come back a knee chip operation well and the six-year-old gelding is part of a good run for Everson.

“Nothing has really changed,” he said of why his run of wins has continued.

“Maybe having better horses and running them in the right races.”