Jacquinot enhanced his status as one of the most valuable stallion prospects in Australia when he was crowned the winner of a dramatic $750,000 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr -trained son of Rubick was awarded the race in the stewards’ room after a successful protest from jockey Damian Lane against Gentleman Roy, who was first over the line in the 1400-metre weight-for-age event.
Gentleman Roy, who led, crossed the line a short-head clear of Jacquinot, but a bump around 100m from home when Gentleman Roy ($8) shifted out prompted Lane’s objection, with the star jockey claiming the interference cost the $4 unibet Aus second favourite a ‘neck’.
“Win them any way you can, but he should have won it out there so the right decision was made,” Lane said after the protest result.
“He just takes a little bit to pick up, so when I found my run he was just getting into his work and the he copped that nasty bump.
“I felt I had Gentleman Roy covered before that happened.”
The victory over older horses was a valuable result for Jacquinot, who won the Group 1 Golden Rose in September after which a controlling share was bought by Widden Stud and partners, who will stand the colt at the conclusion of his racing career.
“He’s a stud colt and that now gives him two Group 1s and that’s very important,” Price said.
Just three quarters of a length separated the first five horses over the line in the first Australian Group 1 of the year.
Nugget ($10) performed well at his first test at Group 1 level, coming in just a short-head behind Jacquinot, while I’m Thunderstruck was a similar margin away fourth, marginally in advance of Mr Brightside ($10).
Jamie Kah replaced Mark Zahra, who rode Gentleman Roy, aboard Cox Plate runner-up I’m Thunderstruck in the Orr and said the gelding who was heavily supported to start $3.10 favourite would take good benefit from the run.
“He was probably a bit heavier than we thought he was. He was having a good blow and he just felt like he needed it today,” Kah said.
For Jacquinot, it will be back to Sandown on February 25 where he will be looking to complete the Orr Stakes/Futurity Stakes double
“Same course, same distance, hopefully the same result,” Price said.