The Gary Alexander-trained three-year-old Querari gelding Kangaroo Jack defied his 14/1 odds at Greyville on Friday night to win the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m in effortless fashion under Craig Zackey and out of the blue has become a serious Gr 1 Mercury Sprint possibility.

The Alexander team received a phone call one day from owner Joyce Wallace asking whether they would like to train this horse, who was bred by her late husband RB Wallace. It came as a nice surprise as they had never trained a horse for the Wallace family before. Kangaroo Jack duly arrived at the Alexander’s Turffontein yard as a young two-year-old having been pre-trained by Sharon Patterson.

Kangaroo Jack travelled down to Greyville on Friday morning. Assistant trainer Dean Alexander saddled him. The bay gelding glided down to the post as if he was on air and was the stand out.

He was dropped out from a wide draw and behind a strong pace showed an exceptional turn of foot in the straight. Coming from near the back he had hit the front under the hands by the 200m mark. He just required a few back handers from then onward to keep his mind on the job.

Kangaroo Jack (Nkosi Hlophe)

He passed the line 3,75 lengths clear of the Mike Bass-trained 10/1 shot Fly By Night, who pipped the Garth Puller-trained 25/1 shot Asstar for second. The Dennis Drier-trained second favourite, three-year-old Ferrie, completed the quartet.

Dean later described Kangaroo Jack as one who had been progressive from day one. The bay still looks to have scope for further improvement.

Kangaroo Jack was officially 2kg under sufferance with the Gr 1-winning mare Fly By Night, who was coming off a second place finish in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint just two weeks earlier. Therefore it will be no surprise to see him being given the maximum ten point merit rating raise to 110. The yard might now consider running him in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint Over the same course and distance in mid-July.

The favourite for Friday night’s race was Red Ray, who went down to post in eye-catching style. However, the long-strider’s momentum was affected by interference early in the straight and he was not persevered with after his chances of placing were gone.
The other runner coming out of the Tsogo Sun Sprint two weeks ago, Captain Alfredo, also failed to place.

David Thiselton