Leading local trainer Sue Jaensch will chase a third Mini Jumbuk Naracoorte Cup in succession on Sunday. Jaensch has won the past two editions of the 2000-metre race and plans to saddle up Von Costa Glass and defending champion Bronski in the $26,800 feature.
Jaensch, who trains in partnership with son Jason, said the Naracoorte race looked the perfect option for Von Costa Glass who scored an impressive win at Murray Bridge two starts back before being beaten at Bordertown last time out.
Jaensch added Von Costa Glass would relish getting back to a track which suited him after he gave the leaders a big start at Bordertown before flashing home behind fellow Cup aspirant Dyagilev. “He got a long way back and Bordertown is probably not his track, especially when he runs that way,’’ Jaensch said. “He was ridden extremely well to win at Murray Bridge and I’m sure he can run well back on his home track.”
Von Costa Glass has been a terrific money spinner for connections recording 10 wins, three on his home track and banking more than $320,000 in prizemoney. Given he’s owned in the South East only added to the significance.
“The owners of Von Costa Glass have been staunch supporters of the Naracoorte Racing Club and have been for many years,’’ Jaensch said. “It’s always nice to win your hometown cup. I tried for a long time before Lady Avacan was able to do it and we have been fortunate to have a bit of luck in the race ever since.”
The stable also has Von Costa Glass entered in Adelaide on Saturday for the Listed Birthday Cup at Morphettville but said they were likely to stay home an avoid a clash with Sue Murphy’s Farooq who is raced in similar interests. “I nominated for the Birthday Cup, but to be honest, if Farooq ran the time he did the other day when he won at Murray Bridge, I cannot beat that,’’ Jaensch said.
The 2021 Mini Jumbuk Naracoorte Cup received 17 nominations for the feature including three form the stable of leading Victorian jumps trained Eric Musgrove – Aloft, Goodwood Zodiac and Noumea. Mornington trainer Logan Magill also has two nominations, Von Mystic and the most interesting of the entries Last Kingdom – a former Hong Kong galloper who has had just two starts in Australia.
Jaensch cannot wait to see how her horses stack up with the high-calibre field. “It’s nice to see really strong nominations,’’ she said. “Last year the nominations were pretty light on and it turned out to be a pretty average field but this year’s race looks very strong.”
