Pakenham trainers Tom Scanlon (left) and John Gunning share a laugh after the Scanlon trained Jeune De Coeur won race eight at Pakenham on Friday. Gunning’s horse,
By David Nagel
COLLINGWOOD footballer Luke Ball is renowned as a bit of a hard-nut but the mare he part-owns might have him covered after Jeune De Coeur won the $12,000 Sandown Lodge Fillies and Mares Handicap (1300m) at Pakenham on Friday.
Trained locally by Tom Scanlon, the tough-as-nails six-year-old overcame a cut leg on the way to the races and a wide run throughout to score at her 15th run this preparation, that’s right, 15th run this preparation to beat Pearly Kate by a length with John Gunning’s Valpincon back in third place.
Scanlon makes no apologies for taking the daughter of Jeune to the races so often, Friday’s run was Jeune De Coeur’s ninth run in 64 days, but he does concede the race-day mishap was a concern.
“Yeah, that was a bit of a worry, she cut her leg on the float coming here today but the vets inspected her and decided to let her run,” Scanlon said displaying the problem area.
“I’m used to training tough old geldings and she’s a tough mare, I’m not scared to back her up after a week but a lot of people don’t do that.
“She goes to the water walker most days so that keeps her happy and she comes here for a gallop.”
Despite almost 50 years in the game Scanlon was still noticeably chuffed with Friday’s win at the mare’s home track.
“I’m pumped, it doesn’t matter where I win, even if it’s at the picnics I get a thrill,” he said.
“A lot of work goes into it and the thrill is just enormous.”
Jockey Matthew Allen had Jeune De Coeur three wide throughout the race and asked the mare to go at the 600 metre mark, she responded around the tight Pakenham turns which was no surprise to Scanlon.
“She’s a four length better horse here, she’s trained on track and just burns around the turns.
“She loves it here.”
Scanlon will now give Jeune De Coeur a well earned rest before returning to her home track on Pakenham Cup Day, 25 March, for the $30,000 David Bourke Memorial (1300m).
