Jagger struts her stuff at Ascot

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Pacing filly Just Like Jagger (Vincent) can be a bit off and on, but today she was on her best behaviour and took out the McKnight and Brown Mobile Pace at Ascot Park.

“She’s got a big engine but she doesn’t have the best attitude, so that’s against her. Touchwood today she was perfect. She can be a bit Jekel and Hyde. Some days she can be lovely and on others she can be horrible,” trainer driver Kirstin Green said.

From gate six Green pushed the go button early and took up the early running.

“I didn’t expect the race to pan out like that but when she came off the gate so well you have to take those opportunities. I thought the stablemate (Midnight Babe) would get out better and we’d end up parked. But it didn’t work out that way.”

After leading early Green handed up to hot favourite Ward Lemon.

“Although she raced with her head up she wasn’t racing keenly. That’s how she runs.”

The stable has battled getting Just Like Jagger to race kindly on the all-weather surface.

“She doesn’t like the grit. So we’ve had a few battles with her education, but she was really good today. We just had the nose flap and the chin flap on but she just seems to be maturing out of it a bit. We’ve been working out at the beach a bit so maybe the spray out there has helped (laughter).”

In today’s race there was lots of action out wide and all the while Green was giving her filly the perfect trip.

“I didn’t know if she would take the lane because she can lay in a bit, but she got down there fine.”

Just Like Jagger winning at Ascot Park (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Just Like Jagger is the first foal out of the Justa Tiger mare Machjagger which won five races. Machjagger’s half-sister Watch Me Now won seven and provided Green with her first Group One training and driving success when she won the New Zealand Breeders Stakes, beating Amazing Dream.  

“It’s been a great breed and I’ve been lucky to get the best one out of it in Watch Me Now. Hopefully this girl can give them a bit of a ride like she did.”

Just Like Jagger is raced by the Rolling Stones Syndicate which consist of members of the Sloan and Forde families.

“They were originally with Tank (Ellis) and then Tank and I. They wanted the horses to stay in Southland so they’ve stayed with me, which is great. They also have horses with Wolfie (Tony Stratford).”