Thursday 11th June 2009
Jet Plane prepares for take-off
J J The Jet Plane - likely to run in the Darley July Cup. Picture: Emma Berry
J J The Jet Plane impressed as he exercised at a Global Sprint Challenge media event staged in Newmarket this morning.
The Mike de Kock- trained five-year-old stretched out in a solo spin over 4f on the July Course under his handler’s assistant Juan Nel.
Based in Newmarket for the summer, the South African sprinting ace has the Darley July Cup among his objectives.
He won his first start – a Listed race – on British soil last week at Windsor and is now vying for favouritism for next week’s Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
All being well, the son of Jet Master will then appear in the £400,000 showpiece at next month’s Champagne Lanson July Festival
Assessing his charge, De Kock said: “Although he has never competed at this level abroad I am confident that he can run well.
“The Windsor run has put him spot on and he is no doubt better on turf. If he comes out of Royal Ascot well we shall definitely run in the Darley July Cup.”
Another possible runner at Newmarket on Friday July 10 is the Australian-trained Scenic Blast.
Trainer Dan Morton, who rode him in his work this morning said: “If all goes well at Ascot he could well head to Newmarket.
“He could also go on to either Japan or Hong Kong in the autumn. He had an extremely long 30-hour journey to get here but it is a fantastic environment for horses here in Newmarket.”
Fellow Australian Takeover Target , now a veteran at nine years old, is also under consideration for a second tilt at the Darley July Cup. Joe Janiak’s charge was seventh in the contest in 2006.
Janiak added: “A lot depends on the ground. If it isn’t too quick we could well be there.”
There are currently 68 horses in the prestigious 6f contest and the nature of entry indicates that it is going to be a truly global event.
By Jackie Jarvis
