5 starts, 4 wins as jumper

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 22

5 starts, 4 wins as jumper

By

J. J. BOYLE

Miracle Jack was a fading fifth of eight in his hurdling debut at Gore early last season, but he is unbeaten in four starts since as a jumper, and. remains a lively southern hope for the Grand National Hurdles on Saturday.

the Riverton-owned and trained Grey William gelding extended hi's sequence in the Canterbury Jockey Club's Sydenham Hurdles on Saturday.

It is something of a miracle that Miracle Jack is racing at all. He had tetanus as a yearling, and his recovery was at first uncertain and slow. Now he has won 10 races for his owner-breeder, Mr Tony Mooney, and is extending a notable chapter of jumping successes at Riccarton by horses from the stable of Bill Hillis. Miracle Jack won the first

leg of Saturday's T.A.B. double by three parts of a length and left the others trailing well behind at the end of 3200 m.

He was in a tight spot on the inside near the 1000 m, and his rider, Richard Collett, struck the running rail with his left boot and damaged an iron. But the six-year-old was quick to rally, charged through a wide gap past Sencore on the home turn, and clinched victory with a superior leap to Royal Kassel's at the last flight. Purcil outstayed Stipulation by a length and a half for third, and Sencore dropped out to finish fifth. The favourite, Cellay, fell at the third last after taking off too early, and crashing through. He escaped injury in the fall and is an acceptor for the Spreydon Hurdles on the second day of the meeting tomorrov.