Owners win four races in 24 hours

Owners Peter and Lesley Medhurst, from Glencoe in South Australia’s South-East, had a very successful 24 hours capped by Jumping Jolt’s win in the 2016 Trotsguide.Com.Au SA Sires Produce Stakes (2230m).

Trained by son-in-law Barry Finnis, and driven by grandson Jayson Finnis, Jumping Jolt ($2.20 fav) led throughout in the Sires to score a two metre win from Official Art ($4.20) with Presidentmach ($2.60) 12 metres away third.

For the Medhursts, it was their fourth win at Globe Derby Park in 24 hours.

On Friday night, Validated and Big Bruce, won the final two events for trainer-driver Bronte Giorgio, and earlier on Saturday night, Officianado, also from the Finnis team, was successful.

Incredibly, as it the case with all their horses, the winners were also bred by the Medhursts.

But it was Jumping Jolt which was the most pleasing of the wins.

“He’s definitely the favourite at home,” Medhurst said.

“He shows plenty of promise and we are all excited about how he is going.”

The Sires developed as most expected with Jumping Jolt leading from gate four and Presidentmach, trained by Jon Kingston-Mayne, coming across to sit outside him.

Again, as expected, the pressure went on down the back and Jumping Jolt beat off Presidentmach to take a clear advantage on straightening and looking headed for a comfortable win.

It was left to Official Art, a stablemate of Presidentmach, to emerge from back in the field and sprint home strongly but the post arrived too soon.

Jayson Finnis said there was plenty of improvement in Jumping Jolt.

“We don’t have anything at home which can keep up with him in trackwork,” Finnis said.

“So he goes to the races not at his peak and hard racing will definitely improve his fitness."

"Tonight’s run will be a great help.”

The Medhurst-Finnis team are proud supporters of harness racing in the South East and as such Jumping Jolt will head to the $5500 Mount Gambier Derby (2190m) on Monday, March 28.

It is only after that run connections will decide whether to head back to Adelaide for the $10,000 Gawler Derby (2230m) at Globe Derby on Saturday, April 2.

“I think he could handle the two runs in less than a week but we will wait until after Mount Gambier before making that decision,” Finnis said.

Earlier in the night, Officianado ($2.80) sat outside the lead throughout to win the BGC Industrial Cleaning Supplies Pace (1800m).

The four-year-old scored by 1-1/2 metres from Lombo Del Rosso ($8.60) with On Stage ($100.70) a head away third.

Officianado rated in 1:59.0 in winning and in the process put away the leader, the $2.30 favourite Cheersbigears which faded to fourth.

Medhurst was pleased with the tough win but driver Finnis proved a hard marker.

“He should be winning easier than that,” Finnis said, “after all he was placed in the Southern Cross last year.”

It was Officianado’s sixth win from 23 starts with 15 placings and took his stakes to in excess of $34,000.

Graham Fischer