Group 3 Redcliffe Final is no one-horse race

By Duane Ranger

The TAB might have opened Governor Jujon at microscopic $1.45 for Friday night’s Group 3 at Redcliffe Paceway, but his trainer Grant Dixon believes the race is still there for him to lose.

“He’s racing and training super and feels great, but it’s definitely not a given, especially from the widest front row draw and with Vicki (Rasmussen) and Shane’s (Graham) good horse in the field,” Dixon said.

“If Gleaneagle Warrior did manage to get to the front we will know we have been in a race, that horse strung three wins together before getting a horrible trip last start.

“I’m not saying we won’t win but it’s a nice wee field with the Rasmussen gelding being our toughest opponent.”

Governor Jujon and Gleaneagle Warrior ($5) have drawn six and three respectively in the $35,520 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sale 3YO Final at the 1,789m mobile, which kicks off at 6.50pm.

“We are back to defend our title that we won last year,” owner Dr John Mammino said.

“Nothing is certain in life, but I think ‘The Governor’ can go close again but obviously Gleneagle Warrior will be the toughest for us to beat.

“I just wish I could be on track to pat him, I watch the races alone from here at home (Brisbane), and it’s just not the same.

“I guess we are getting racing and in the context of what’s happening around the world, we have been very quite fortunate really.

“It’s just a shame I haven’t been able to watch his last four wins live.”

The retired GP paid $18,000 to breeders, Burwood Stud, for Governor Jujon at the 2018 Redcliffe Yearling Sales.

He has owned hundreds of standardbreds since 1978, but none better than Governor Jujon.

“He gave me my first Group 1 winner on this track in the 2YO Redcliffe Yearling Sale Pace – that was worth $100,000,” Mammino said.

“He’s also won other Group races since, including Group Two Triad at Albion Park two starts back.”

Dr Mammino names his horses after his late wife Judy, who passed away six years ago; hence the name ‘Jujon’.

“I miss her dearly and wish she was here to witness this good horse, I’ve spent several  decades chasing a pacer like this but I know she is watching down on us from above,” Mammino said.

Governor Jujon has come back bigger and stronger since winning five from six races as a two-year-old.

His four wins since May 1 have seen the gifted son of Cammibest pay $1.22, $1.10, $1.22, and $1.75.

Dixon said Governor Jujon would continue to race throughout the season with the $50,000 South East Derby at Albion Park on July 18 his main mission.

“That will probably be his last race for the season, but we will keep racing him through until then,” Dixon said.

“It’s a bit of a shame we can’t travel out of State, but that means some of the good three-year-olds can’t get here either.

“I’m just happy with his progress, he should go close but if the Rasmussen horse gets to the front it will make it interesting.”

He didn’t share the same confidence with his Sportswriter gelding, Dynamic Dan, in race four – the first heat of the 2YO Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series.

“He’s drawn eight and I’m happy enough with him, but I’d only rate him a rough chance from that draw over 1,780m,” Dixon said.

“He’s still got a lot of improving to do and wll get stronger with time.”

The Chantal Turpin-trained and Peter McMullen-driven Justa Little Bit should prove to be the toughest to beat after winning and running second at Albion Park last month.

Just a Little Bit (5) opened the $1.80 favourite, and the only other pacer in single figures is the Graham Dwyer-trained and John Cremin-driven Shes Miss Divine (1), who is at $3.80.

The second heat (race eight) looks a two-horse war between the Donny Smith-trained Swift Lombo (5) and the Shane Fraser-trained Manila Playboy (6).

They will be driven by cousins, Nathan and Kelli Dawson, and are paying $2.20 and $2.40 respectively.