After making a spectacular career debut on Boxing Day at Caulfield, the Rubick colt Jacquinot had little luck, primarily due to his antics, in the Blue Diamond Prelude, Blue Diamond Stakes, and Golden Slipper.
Off the scene for 23 weeks, Jacquinot made his seasonal debut in Saturday’s Group III H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The son of Rubick launched down the centre of the track under Damian Lane to give Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr a second win in the last three years.
Jacquinot defeated the favourite Aft Cabin (Astern) by one and a half lengths, with Tijuana (American Pharoah) a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr said Jacquinot had matured physically and mentally.
“It worked out lovely,” Kent Jnr said.
“He is sticky out of the gates, this horse, and he takes a while to muster with that long stride, but it worked out beautifully.
“He was behind Aft Cabin, the race opened up nicely for him, and you’ve got to love the way he lengthened stride.
“He doesn’t quicken up, but he lengthens stride and covers the ground so beautifully, so really keen to see this horse over a bit further next start.
“We’ll go to the Run To The Rose in Sydney, then hopefully the Golden Rose, then back for the Caulfield Guineas. It’s really exciting.
“In the Blue Diamond here last year (thirds behind Daumier and Revolutionary Miss) against all those colts, he was the most immature horse - scopey, leggy, and yet to furnish. But in the yard today, he’s really filled out.
In contrast to his three previous starts, the race could not have worked out any better, according to Damian Lane.
“With get-back horses you can find a bit of trouble sometimes, but today everything panned out perfectly,” Lane said
“He stepped a little better from the barriers, which was key to holding a spot, and once I got him into the clear, he showed that good acceleration.
He’s just really learning all the time. He took great experience from that first prep, having to try and reeducate him jumping out of the barriers. Little things like that have set a good solid foundation for him.
“This time in, he seems more switched on, more relaxed, and knows what it’s all about.
“Hopefully, his attitude stays as good as it is now, and it’s not his last victory of the spring.”
Jacquinot is raced by his breeder Lindsay Maxsted and partners after being passed in short of his $120,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Jacquinot is the first foal of the unraced Pierro mare Ponterro.
Ponterro is a sister to Group II ARC Avondale Guineas and Group II Auckland Guineas winner Dragon Leap, and a half-sister to Cornwall Park Stud’s Group 1 ATC Rosehill Guineas winner Inference (So You Think), and the dual Listed winner Illation (So You Think) who puts his undefeated record on the line in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.
Ponterro has been dogged by bad luck in recent years. After missing in 2019, her Yes Yes Yes colt died after birth last spring. The daughter of Pierro was covered by Wootton Bassett (GB).
Jacquinot is the sixth stakes-winner for Rubick, who began his stud career at Coolmore and now stands at Swetenham Stud for $22,000.
