Concession reinsman Jack Watson described his winning double recently in Hobart as a career highlight, and he will be looking to reproduce that when the same two pacers line up at this Sunday’s Hobart program.
Watson will drive both Oh No Never Again, whom he also owns, and Shoobees Spirit on Sunday night.
“It was probably the highlight of my career, given the fact that Oh No Never Again, whom I brought a few months ago, won,” said Watson.
The Sweet Lou gelding started his racing career before being purchased by Watson.
“Sam (Gangell) had him up for sale, and we negotiated a price that I was happy with, and before his win, he had well paid for himself.
“Being eligible for a Tasbred bonus was something that stood out to me when he was advertised online, and it was one of the main reasons I bought him,” explained Watson about the pacer, who he describes as having a few “quirks”.
“He just does what he wants to do, and he is a type that you have got to work with (not against).”
Last start, the pacer showed good speed to lead, before being shuffled back to be three-back the pegs in the middle stages of the race.
“I like to let him run the gate as he is more comfortable doing that, and when I ended up three back the fence, I wasn’t too worried as it was only a small field, so I was always going to get a run.”
From barrier four in this Sunday’s Morey’s Tour Pace (1609m), Watson said he will just see how the race will pan out early.
“He only runs the speed he has to run. He won’t do any more, so we will push forward like he normally does, and we will just end up where we end up.
Shoobees Spirit will line up from the second line earlier in the night in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Pace (2090m).
The Steve Lukac-trained gelding was impressive last start when scoring over the 1609m by 12.2m in 1:55.8s.
“Personally, I believe he had always had that in him, and he is a horse I have a lot of time for.
“I think he can go through his grades further, and I think Steve (Lukac) has got him going better than ever.
“It’s a step up in class, but if he gets a good run, I’m sure he will be more than competitive,” said the driver about the gelding’s chances for back-to-back wins.
The Hobart program is scheduled to start at 17:19.
