Corstens confident Jocasta can have change of luck at Cranbourne
IT’S not often that a trainer will complain about his galloper placing in its last four races, but trainer Leon Corstens believes Jocasta’s recent run of form should have yielded wins, rather than runners up ribbons.
After an incredible run of four consecutive second placings, you could forgive Leon Corstens for being content in his four-year-old galloper’s recent form, but the trainer said it’s time for the horse to break through and get that elusive win.
“She’s been knocking on the door and knocking on the door, I hope she hurries up and opens it.” Corstens told HorseBetting.com.au.
Jocasta gets its chance to open the winning door in the O’Brien Real Estate Handicap Class 1 at Cranbourne on Friday night where it is the +360 third favourite at Crownbet.com.au to break the run of second placings.
Jocasta’s last run was back at the end of February where it missed the jump, had no luck in the running but still managed to storm home late to claim second behind Dance For Me, which lead from start to finish.
The second placing was the first time in four races that the four-year-old had not been within a length of the leader on the finish line.
The trainer said he was happy in the effort of Jocasta, considering the circumstances of the race.
“(Jocasta) just couldn’t get any luck early on, (jockey Justin Noonan) gave her a good ride, it was just very unfortunate.”
Whichever way you look at the last four runs of the mare however, it’s hard not to envision a win is just around the corner.
Jocasta has an unbelievable 70 percent strike rate of placings in its 10-race career, but one notable aspect of the record is the fact it only has one win to its name to date.
Corstens believes the winless run is symptomatic of the horse’s inability to jump from the barriers and find a prominent position early in races.
“She’s causing a lot of it herself really,” the trainer lamented.
“She’s sort of half missing the kick, then she needs all the luck in the world doesn’t she?
“If they run at a slow pace she’s behind them, and when they kick she’s got to kick a bit better, and I don’t think she’s quite good enough to do that.
“The moment she learns how to jump properly and be somewhere there with them then I’ll think we might have a good racehorse.”
Friday night will be the first attempt at 1500m for Jocasta, which has been tackling the shorter distances across its recent run of seconds.
Corstens believes the horse will have no issues handling the extra terrain at Cranbourne.
“I thought the distance won’t worry her, actually it might suit her better,” he said.
“The Cranbourne track plays a bit different to the courses she’s tackled recently, so that and the extra distance might suit her and give her a chance to get up there with them.”
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