Kangaroo Jack was an unknown quantity going into the Gr2 POST Merchants at Greyville back in June. But he emerged circled in most form books after trouncing a strong line-up, that included Gr-1 winner Fly By Night (four-lengths back in second), despite being under sufferance at the weights. And he looks set to continue his upward curve in the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m at the Turffontein inside track tomorrow.

The handicappers were somewhat impressed after the POST Merchants win and bumped him up six points to a 106 rating. But they more than doubled the hike (to 113) when Kangaroo Jack hacked up in the Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes on his seasonal debut last month.

Some pundits are questioning the hike as possibly a bit harsh but of more significance was the manner of the comeback victory. The Spring Spree was run over 1200m on the Turffontein inside track and after jumping alertly from a middle draw, Kangaroo Jack travelled smoothly throughout before producing the same telling turn of foot that impressed us all at Greyville. Kangaroo Jack is obviously a horse on the upgrade, has produced his best runs to date on tight tracks and can continue his climb up the ratings at Turffontein tomorrow.

The opposition includes July-winner The Conglomerate, Daily News-winner Rabada and Gold Cup-winner Enaad. But like Kangaroo Jack’s stable companion, Champagne Haze, these top class performers are all being prepared for upcoming feature races over further ground. Whereas Kangaroo Jack’s plans hinge squarely on this performance.

Trainer Gary Alexander confirmed this earlier in the week speaking to TABnews: “We’ll decide where to go [with Kangaroo Jack] after the Spring Challenge. If Andrew Fortune hops off and says he’ll get a mile (1600m), we might target the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes next year. If he says no, we’ll restrict him to sprints, like the Computaform Sprint (April).” Without any immediate targets in mind, Kangaroo Jack looks aimed at tomorrow’s race and well worth chancing as a banker in the carryover Pick 6 (estimated R3million pool).

The weights suggest that it will be difficult to stop Lazer Star from repeating in the Fillies and Mares Spring Challenge but there was a lot to like about Intergalactic’s last win and it could pay to follow the Sean Tarry-trained four-year-old.

Intergalactic was gutsy in fending off She’s A Dragon and Lazer Star over the same track and trip last time out. Tomorrow’s race conditions firmly favour Lazer Star but there could be more to come from Intergalactic who has shown ability in the past, most notably in finishing just 1,5 lengths behind Inara in the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes at Greyville on July Day.

Like Lazer Star, Intergalactic has a strong record at the Turffontein inside track and these two could suffice in smaller Pick 6 perms.

Brendan Pather