Racing: Joker has last laugh over rivals

Don't make the mistake of thinking Jokers Wild was a touch disappointing in only narrowly winning Saturday's $100,000 Hawkes Bay Guineas.

Horses paying $1.45 are meant to win by more than half a neck, but Jokers Wild looked every bit as smart as in any of his previous wins.

All races are competitive, but it was clear several rival jockeys went out to ride to get Jokers Wild beaten.

And it nearly worked.

Michael Coleman refused to engage in a speed duel with Giovanni and Lisa Cropp early, and dropped into the trail, a spot where the baldy-faced colt is not always entirely happy.

With Giovanni, Alberto and Pinot Grigio forming a formidable wall in front of Jokers Wild at the 320m, Coleman had little choice but to drag the favourite across three sets of heels, out towards the centre of the track.

That meant losing valuable time and ground. More significantly, it put last year's champion 2-year-old out beyond the favourable inside 3m strip that proved so effective all day. Despite that, Jokers Wild dug deep and produced something very brave to go past Alberto late.

Probably the most impressive part of the win was the fact that it had been five weeks between runs and Jokers Wild, although standing out by being in spectacular condition, looked a little new, as if likely to pull significant improvement from the race.

"That was deliberate," said co-trainer Mike Moroney, over from Melbourne. "He's got a trip to Wellington for the Guineas meeting then on to Riccarton for the 2000 Guineas, so he's got a tough programme ahead.

"We would rather be doing it at that end than this end. If he was going to be vulnerable it was today."

If you needed evidence that the race did Jokers Wild no harm, the colt produced it himself. As club officials were setting up the birdcage presentation, Jokers Wild buried his head and munched on the birdcage grass, something he continued doing throughout the presentation.

The 1400m time of 1.22.07 was electric for spring 3-year-olds.

A decision has still to be made whether Jokers Wild will run in the Wellington Guineas on October 28 or step up to group one level on the same day and tackle the older horses in the Captain Cook Stakes.

"We're not against running into the older horses," said Moroney.

Brother Paul Moroney said a tentative approach had been made to Lisa Cropp to offer her the ride if the Captain Cook option was taken up.

"Clearly Michael [Coleman] can't ride at 50kg. Lisa said at this point she's not aware of another obligation, but I'm wondering if Legs will freshen up and go to that race."

Moroney said a decision would almost certainly be left until nomination day.

"We've got the luxury of that because one race is 1500m and the other 1600m, so it will make no difference to his training."

The Guineas in Melbourne early next year is the programme for Jokers Wild if his form continues to impress.

The TAB has shortened him into $1.85 favourite for the 2000 Guineas.

Alberto fought bravely. "If you ride him hard he just keeps giving," said Opie Bosson.

"It was a good effort because I had to get rid of Pinot Grigio before Jokers Wild came along."

* Central Districts jockey Paul Taylor made the most of a chance ride to win the $100,000 GR Kelt Memorial.

Taylor was offered the ride on Pinprick on Thursday morning after Chad Ormsby gave up the mount.

Taylor is a natural lightweight but said he had to waste a little harder to make the 52kg.

The lightweight made all the difference to Pinprick, who only just held on at the finish to beat Dezigna and Jurys Out, having led all the way.

Maroofity was fourth ahead of Rosina Lad, who put in a good run on a day when horses were finding it hard to come from back in the running.