Racing: Jag Star should get off on right foot for Mangos

Brent Mangos has three levels of confidence about Jag Star's debut from his stable at Te Aroha tomorrow.

The rugged five-year-old pacer will be a warm favourite in the $7000 Maneline Morrinsville Cup, the best punting race at the Morrinsville meeting to be run on the big grass track at Te Aroha usually reserved for gallopers.

Jag Star was until his last start trained by popular Pukekohe horseman Irvin Behrns but he has retired from training, meaning Jag Star and veteran trotter Spin The Yarn have joined Mangos' stable.

After winning in premier-grade company at Alexandra Park on December 17 and chasing home budding star Mi Muchacho last start Jag Star has proved he is far better than your average grass track performer and on class should win tomorrow.

There is method in Mangos' madness, as the race is a qualifier for the $25,000 Country Cups Championship at Alexandra Park in April.

On class, Mangos knows he has most of his rivals covered.

And he is pretty confident Jag Star will handle his first attempt at grass track racing.

"I can't see that being a problem even though he hasn't tried it before. He is by Jaguar Spur and a lot of them handle the grass well," he said.

But it is the other first about tomorrow's race which has Mangos a little concerned.

"I am not so sure about the standing start," he explains.

"He has never had a stand before and he is a hyper-active type so that could be a bit of a worry.

"He may be fine but misses away we will be in big trouble because even though these grass tracks are bigger than the normal tracks we race on you still have to be be handy in most races.

"In this big field if he gets back we will be in trouble."

Missing the start would appear to be the only way Jag Star could be beaten because he has been racing fields significantly stronger than he meets tomorrow.

If Mangos' worst fears with Jag Star do become reality tomorrow then Classic Flyer, who has the advantage of being the sole frontmarker, and Typhoon Alta, who has been unlucky lately, looks the best others chances.

Jag Star is just one reason Mangos heads to tomorrow's meeting expecting a good day, with Spin The Yarn, Kai Clutha Clash and B The One also rated winning chances from his stable.

"I have been really happy with how Spin The Yarn has been working and he races like the grass will suit him so he will be hard to beat," said Mangos.

Kai Clutha Clash has the gate speed to lead in race four and Mangos believes he will be very hard to beat.

"He had good form on the grass down south before I got him and he went well at the workouts last week.

And he believes punters who stick with the costly B The One could very shortly win back what they have lost.

"He has had his critics because he hasn't won a race yet and has always been so well backed.

"But he has just taken time to come to it.

"He is a nice horse and I guarantee he will win two or three races before the end of the season."