a day ago
Jockey Blake Shinn's camp keen on Loft's chances in Deane Lester Flemington Cup
A vote of confidence from a star jockey's manager has boosted trainer Shane Jackson's confidence in Loft being prominent in Saturday's Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m).
The $150,000 race is named in honour of the late form analyst and media presenter Deane Lester, a valued form source for many trainers and jockeys until his passing in 2023.
Loft has successfully combined flat and jumps racing this year, winning twice over the hurdles before running a sound fourth behind the Melbourne Cup -bound Basilinna in the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on May 17.
The Warrnambool-based Jackson said he welcomed a call from champion jockey Blake Shinn 's manager before the release of nominations for the $150,000 race on Monday.
'Blake Shinn's manager was on the phone well before nominations wondering if there was a chance of going there and he was keen to ride,' Jackson said.
'That's always a good sign when you have a jockey like that wanting to ride him.
'His manager Liam Prior knows the form inside and out and he must think he's a good chance.'
Jackson said Loft's participation in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup was dependent on whether soft conditions prevailed on Saturday.
He said he had a back-up plan in mind for Loft should weather allow Flemington to improve rapidly in the days leading up to the meeting.
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'It's a soft (6) at the minute so it would want to be a soft (6) or worse on Saturday but we'll be accepting as it looks a nice race for him,' Jackson said.
'But it would need to be a soft track.
'He's good around the Flemington track so all we need is a bit of rain around this week to keep the track in the soft ranges.
'We'll accept for Saturday at Flemington but we'll also accept for the Brendan Dreschler Hurdle on Sunday at Hamilton.
'We'll see what the weather does.'
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Jackson said Loft 'downed tools' if he found track conditions too firm on race day.
He said fine conditions in Queensland prevented Loft from tackling last month's Brisbane Cup but added Loft's Andrew Ramsden effort showed he was up to winning at Flemington should favourable conditions prevail.
'He was great in the Ramsden,' Jackson said.
'He probably had to make a run a bit earlier than was ideal but he was good at the trip.
'Because he's rated so highly, it's a matter of finding the suitable races over the distances that he needs at this time of the year.
'The Brisbane Cup was a hope but it ended up drying out up there and these 2800m races are generally at Flemington, which dries as quick as anything, so you really need a few wet days leading up to the race.'
