Jockey Jack Hill was full of praise for Just Bolts after the gelding posted his second win in a row to remain unbeaten this campaign.
The revival of the four-year-old career has been remarkable after he was sidelined with problems after a race fall at Stony Creek nearly 16 months ago, but his patient owners are now being rewarded.
Just Bolts made a brilliant return to racing when he easily won his maiden over 1100m at Werribee on May 16 and was just as impressive landing Saturday’s Just Energy 0-58 Handicap (1000m) at the same track.
Just Bolts is a noted front runner, but Jack Hill was in no rush on the son Winning Rupert who settled fourth while A Good Yarn, Shamrock Bay and La Narradora disputed the lead.
Into the home straight, Just Bolts ($4.20 fav.) peeled four wide and quickly put the race away in the final 100 metres drawing clear to score by 1-1/4 lengths.
A Good Yarn ($11) finished second and La Narradora ($4.40) a half-length away third.
Jack said he was mindful of keeping Just Bolts relaxed in the run as he was coming back in distance from 1100m to 1000m.
“He had the right run with a good tempo, and I just had to try to get him to go through his gears rather than get there and do everything at 100 miles an hour,” Jack said.
“Once I gave him a couple of behind the saddle, he really put his head down and found the line.”
Just Bolts is a progressive sprinter and while he didn’t win a maiden in his first campaign, he was close to a win with three seconds and third before his Stony Creek fall.
Jack painted a bright future for Just Bolts to go through his grades..
“I would say now he can step up and be competitive in BM64,” Jack said.
“He’s pretty cruisy to ride and he going to drop a bit in weight as goes rises in grade.
“He steps from gates good, he puts himself there, you have just got to be the passenger for a little bit and ride him out the last furlong.”