Jumal wins final-Reid all about it

A happy and relieved trainer Steven Reid is evident in the post-race photos after his star three year old Jumal (Downbytheseaside) won the $200,000 Group One Garrards Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington last night.

“I had a feeling he’d do that tonight so that’s why I was happy,” Reid said after Jumal won the age group classic by three and three quarter lengths.

JUMAL REPLAY

The win was certainly more dominating than last weeks win in the Sires’ Stakes Semi Final and much more like the best version of Jumal.

“In hindsight I don’t think his Northern Derby was that hard. He had a trip home and it was two weeks between runs and I think I’d been a bit easy on him.”

Reid said Jumal was a bit on the fresh side going into the race last week.

“He can get a bit keen when he’s like that. I was rapt with how Blair drove him because what he did was just enough to win it. This last week he’s just transformed. Everyone that came down and had a look at him were saying how good he looked. He looked magnificent.”

Now begs the question as to whether he’ll go to Brisbane for the $300,000 The Rising Sun in July.

“I’ve always managed to find a good horse. But at my age I’m struggling to think I’ll find another one as good as this and that’s why I’ve sort of decided not to do Aussie. I really want to look after this guy.  I spoke to Malcolm (major owner Malcolm Wrigley) tonight and I’ll ring him tomorrow (Saturday) and have one last conversation with him, but he’s never been that keen to go.”

Reid has noticed Jamal’s growth in maturity through this campaign.

“He’s got his quirks when you bring him to the races. He’s not a great traveller, he thrashes around and is all over the show. He’s got a lot better and I feel the trips to Auckland have definitely matured him. Blair said the addition of the plugs made him beautiful and relaxed. He just conducted himself in a very professional manner. I think mentally he’s definitely grown up.”

If Queensland is not on the agenda, Jumal will have a five week spell and then be prepared for spring racing.

“He got up and ran as an early two year old and I thought maybe he’s just a natural little two year old. But he’s actually presenting like he’s getting better and better. There’s just a massive chance he’s just a very good horse.”

On a personal level there’s no doubting Reid has had to manage the pressure and the expectations of having a good horse.

“I said to Bella (Bella Storer – his partner and part owner of Jumal) that I just wanted to get the job done and turn him out so I can have a little chill. I wake up at 3am in the morning thinking about him. It’ll be good not to have that for a few months.”

Reid and Storer plan to head to Queenstown next weekend for a five day break.

“I’ll also do a bit of a trip with the boys at the end of July. I’ll leave Devon (Dolan) in charge so she’ll be jogging him up. I go with Tony Herlihy, Ross Johnston, Owen Purdon and Ronnie Dawe. There’s about eight or nine of us that go over to Thailand. We’ve been going over for the last fifteen years. It’s a good fun trip.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink