Career Best Season Continues For Kent
- Wednesday, 21 July 2010 08:40
Mick Kent continued his excellent run this season after Jagger Crow won the $30,000 Sun Valley 0-78 Handicap (1600m) at Betfair Park Sandown Lakeside this afternoon.
Kent has trained 35 metropolitan winners this season, over double the amount of winners he trained two seasons ago at a strike rate over 6% higher.
He paid tribute to the winning ride from Craig Williams aboard Jagger Crow, who rode a double today at his first meeting since returning from Japan.
“It’s good to have him back,” Kent said.
“Obviously we lack a few jockeys this time of year so to have him here on a Wednesday at Sandown is important I think.
“He has a good sense of timing,” he added.
That sense of timing was showcased aboard Jagger Crow as Williams allowed his mount to find his feet in a midfield position.
Bringing the rising five-year-old to the outside, Jagger Crow fought out an epic battle with Dark Note over the concluding stages to prevail narrowly on the line.
“There’s not much of him as you can see but he tries hard and he does like soft ground.”
Jagger Crow ($9-$10) defeated Dark Note ($7-$8) by a half head with Sea Hunter ($6-$8) a further 2-1/4 lengths away in third.
Tawakoni ($2.90 fav) made ground into fourth while Manila Jewel ($12) weakened from her on-pace position to finish fifth.
The win was satisfying for Kent who moves one win behind Danny O’Brien in the Melbourne Trainers’ Premiership.
He sits only eight wins off second position, currently held by Robert Smerdon.
“He a handy horse and its great for the owners who have been a long time client of the stable,” he said.
A winner of five from 15 starts with another three placings to his name, Jagger Crow has won over $61,000 in prizemoney.
The Rise Of Mick Kent
Mick Kent's record in the metropolitan area for the last five seasons
2009/10 - 35 wins*
2008/09 – 28 wins
2007/08 – 15.5 wins
2006/07 – 13 wins
2005/06 – 8 wins
*season incomplete
Pictures: Colin Bull
