Warrnambool trainer Shane Jackson to back-up Mystery Island in Saturday’s Coastal Classic at Geelong
An easy first-up win qualified the Shane Jackson-trained Mystery Island for a crack at $300,000 in Saturday’s Coastal Classic at Geelong.
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Warrnambool trainer Shane Jackson is happy to take up a free shot at $300,000 in Saturday’s Coastal Classic at Geelong.
The Jackson-trained Mystery Island earned a spot in the Coastal Classic with his win in last Sunday’s Woodford Cup (1700m) at Warrnambool.
Mystery Island jumps in class in the Coastal Classic but TAB has kept him safe at $8.50 in its opening market on the new feature.
Mystery Island has previously performed well on quick back-ups, winning in Perth off a seven-day break last year and again in 2022.
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Jackson said Mystery Island quickly bounced back from his first-up win.
“It’s a race with good prizemoney and he’s pulled up great from Warrnambool,” Jackson said.
“He won easily first-up and he seems bright and well so it’s worth a throw at the stumps.”
Jackson said rain was the only thing that would prevent Mystery Island from backing up at Geelong.
“He won’t run on anything worse than a Soft 6 I don’t think,” Jackson said.
“If the track stays dry, he’ll take his place.”
Mystery Island had previously performed better over longer trips but Jackson said a second consecutive 1700m run would not worry the Japanese-bred galloper if there was enough early speed on.
“I was a little worried about the 1700 at Warrnambool because I thought he might want a little bit further but he showed a good turn of foot in the straight after getting a beautiful ride,” Jackson said.
“I think the 1700 would be no worries this time as long as there’s good tempo on.
“If it was a sit and sprint, he might be in a bit of bother.”
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Mystery Island competes under Jackson’s name but the gelding resides at Lindsey Smith’s Warrnambool stable, where the former jumps jockey is the stable foreman.
Jackson said he has kept Mystery Island’s mind fresh with plenty of jumping in the last 12 months, which has produced a run of consistent form from the seven-year-old.
“He does a lot of schooling and he really loves it because it’s a change in his routine,” Jackson said.
“It will be in his future at some stage because he’s a natural at it.
“That’s the only thing different he’s really been doing.
“He spends plenty of time at the beach and he’s a very easy horse around because he’s sound as a bell.”
Dean Yendall will ride Mystery Island in the Coastal Classic but the lightweight jockey will switch to the Lindsey Smith-trained Bold Bourbon if Jackson decides to scratch his charge.
Originally published as Warrnambool trainer Shane Jackson to back-up Mystery Island in Saturday’s Coastal Classic at Geelong
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