3 minute read

​A swap of slot machines between Mr and Mrs Brian Dean one night brought about not only a change of luck – but a racehorse who finally got right on the money at his sixth start on Sunday.

Dean, who was at the Gold Coast with his wife Wendy to buy horses at the Magic Millions Ready-To-Run Sales last year, could not resist swinging by the Conrad Jupiter casino for a bit of fun.

The Kranji trainer was having a wretched run at a slot machine when Wendy came along and asked him to try another machine while she took over the supposedly “jinxed” one-armed bandit.

All it took was a one-dollar bet, and the missus was suddenly richer by A$8,000! On the spur of the moment, Wendy enthusiastically said: “We should use the money to buy a horse - and name him Jackpot!”

Dean’s first reaction was “You’re kidding!” but he wisely thought against overruling the one who actually brought the windfall.

Dean eventually had to top up another $27,000 for an Artie Schiller colt whom he took a shine to during the breeze-ups, but he certainly did take on board his wife’s spontaneous suggestion for the horse’s name.

The colt did not quite hit the jackpot at his first five starts, though, but two seconds at his first two starts did indicate he was not without ability, before he finally went “ka-ching” in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden (2&3YO) race over 1400m on Sunday.

Ridden by Joao Moreira, the $9 favourite looked an ominous threat when he was peeled out three deep for his run around the home turn. In one fell swoop, Jackpot hit the lead before clearing out for a dominant seven-length win in 1min 25.17secs.

Invincible Dragon (Alan Munro) ran second for new trainer Sonny Yeoh’s first prizemoney paycheque, a neck away from third-placed runner Carbon Diamond (Koh Teck Huat).

“Wendy will be chuffed! She’s at the Bendigo races now, looking after the kids,” said Dean.

“We’ve got another one coming up and she named him Potluck. But we bought him as a yearling while we got Jackpot as a two-year-old.

“He (Jackpot) was the only one we got at the Sales. His sire is fairly new but I think he’s already at his fourth season.

“He’s a bit small, but he’s a tough horse and what I like about him is he can race on the pace and sprint away. It seems he likes a bit of give as well.”

Dean said the signs were promising right from Day-1 but he then ran out of luck.

“He’s been very unlucky with the draws. He should have won at least one race, especially at his debut in that Singapore Golden Horseshoe race.

“He didn’t beat much today, but I was quite taken with the way he’s done it.”

Dean also pointed out Jackpot’s maiden win also made for a milestone, which he felt he “owed” to Moreira.

“When Joao was on 99, I told him Irish Flash would give him the century,” recalled Dean. “But he rode another winner earlier (Good Loouken) and Irish Flash became his 101st winner!

“In a way, I felt I have made amends with one of my horses giving him his 150th winner.”

Moreira, who was at the double having scored an earlier win aboard Warrior in the opener, now stands just three wins away from his record of 153 wins established last year.

“I know I had three or four good rides today. If I can ride another three winners, it would be great, but I’m not too worried about that,” said the two-time Singapore champion jockey, who is all but assured of a third title given his unassailable lead in this year’s premiership.

“I would like to thank Brian for that ride. He’s always supported me whenever he has a good one and this new winner certainly looks very promising.

“Even though he was drawn wide, he was able to get on the pace and came back nicely under me.

“I saved his energy for that last dash and when the second favourite (Jonathan) took off, he didn’t really kick away and I knew I would get him.”