Big win for The Bigboss

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

The best trainers and drivers take learnings from defeat and Nathan Jack certainly utilised his in claiming victory in the $175,000 Alabar Bloodstock Nutrien Equine Classic (2YO Colts and Geldings) Final at Lord’s Raceway, Bendigo last Friday.

The Bigboss led and was run down by Bay Of Biscay during his heat last week, but the star reinsman made a slight tweak to his tactics and it paid dividends as the top juvenile crushed his much-hyped rival by 17.2m on Friday night.

In the qualifier, The Bigboss clocked opening quarters of 33.2 and 31.1, but was out-dashed by Emma Stewart’s colt in closing sections of 27.4 and 26.8.

In the final, Jack took a different approach. He found the front easily from wide on the front row, but got rolling earlier with his charge and ensured that Bay Of Biscay, who drew awkwardly in gate eight, was always chasing.

The Bigboss carved out a 28.1 second quarter and then closed off in 27.3 and 28.1 to win in a mile rate of 1:54.0.

While it was there for everyone to see, the Lemnos trainer-driver played down his role in the result.

“I think anyone could have just went out there and went as fast as they could for as far as they could so I can’t sort of take much credit there, but it’s a big credit to all the team at home,” he said.

Jack said he had always liked the look of The Bigboss, who was a $75,000 purchase from the Nutrien sales.

“He was just a great looking horse and he was a Bettors (Delight). He was very fat at the time, but he was just a great looking horse and he caught our eye,” Jack said.

The Bigboss now has three wins for prizemoney earnings just shy of $100,000.

PACING FINAL WINNERS

$175,000 NUTRIEN EQUINE CLASSIC (2YO FILLIES) FINAL
– LUX AETERNA (Rickie Alchin/Rickie Alchin)

$100,000 WOODLANDS NUTRIEN EQUINE CLASSIC (3YO FILLIES) FINAL
– SWEET BELLA (Emma Stewart/Mark Pitt)

$175,000 ALABAR BLOODSTOCK NUTRIEN EQUINE CLASSIC (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL
– THE BIGBOSS (Nathan Jack/Nathan Jack)

$100,000 ALABAR BLOODSTOCK NUTRIEN EQUINE CLASSIC (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL
– CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (David Moran/David Moran)