Imported jumper Loft could chase Melbourne Cup start in Andrew Ramsden at Flemington

Loft lost his way on the flat but trainer Shane Jackson thinks hurdling could spur a resurgence in Saturday’s Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington.

Rain could be the catalyst for an equine intellectual to test his resurgence in Saturday’s Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington.

Loft has struggled on the flat since his delayed start to racing in Australia following a long-term leg injury that forced him out of the 2022 Melbourne Cup.

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The German-bred galloper won at Group 2 level in his homeland and the US before arriving in Australia but has not filled a placing in his local runs for the Hayes brothers or his current trainer Shane Jackson.

However, Loft has been a revelation over jumps.

Loft has cruised to easy wins at his two hurdle outings but Jackson would like to see whether the gelding’s rejuvenation extended to the flat.

“He’s galloping like he has a bit of spark and the jumps have really sparked him back up,” Jackson said.

“If we’ve sparked him up enough, he definitely has the ability to be able to do it.

“He just has to decide himself that he wants to do it.

“Hopefully the rain comes because I’d love to see him go around.

Loft has been a revelation since trainer Shane Jackson switched him to hurdle racing. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“If he’s running in the Andrew Ramsden on Saturday, he’ll be jumping six flights of hurdles the day before.

“If he can get his toe into the track, he won’t disgrace himself.”

Jackson said Loft amazed him with his intelligence from the moment he gave the now seven-year-old his first hurdle school last year.

He said Loft’s intelligence meant he needed constant variety and tricky handling to convince him to do his best.

“He’s probably one of the smartest horses that I’ve ever had anything to do with so you’re constantly trying to change things up for him,” Jackson said.

“The motor is there and we’re definitely not writing off a flat career but the jumping will still be mixed among because, if you put a hurdle in front of this horse, he just changes.

“If you make him think he’s going better than he is, he seems to find more.

He’s not a horse that I don’t think would respond by getting bullied into anything, he hasn’t for me anyway.

“He’s a real character.”

Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden offers a ballot exemption to the winner.

Originally published as Imported jumper Loft could chase Melbourne Cup start in Andrew Ramsden at Flemington