Callmethebreeze
TOP driver Nathan Jack says buzz European import Callmethebreeze gives him a "wicked" feel.
Jack was thrilled with the French-bred trotter's Aussie debut when an eye-catching second to champion Just Believe in the Group 2 Knight Pistol at Ballarat last Saturday week.
And Jack expects "quite some improvement" from Callmethebreeze when he tackles the first of two Great Southern Star heats at Melton on Saturday night.
"He gave me a wicked feeling in his trial before going to the races," he said.
"He was a bit different in that first race. He went really well, but a few things weren't 100 per cent right."
"The team has made a few gear changes and rectified a few things."
"Anton (Golino, trainer) texted me the other day sounding really, really excited. And when Anton gets excited, which isn't that often, I start to get excited."
"I'm really looking forward to driving him again this week. I've got a big opinion of him."
It was noticeable Callmethebreeze didn't get around the final bend at Ballarat very well.
"But he still picked himself up, got going and made some late ground on Just Believe. There was a lot to like about the run," Jack said.
Callmethebreeze, a Group 1 winner with over $1.6mil in earnings in Europe, has drawn ideally in gate two in the first easier heats of the Great Southern Star heats.
"I'll take that," Jack said. "It looks like a really good race for him. The head check goes back on this week, so I can really drive him out of the gate, and I'll need to with some speed outside me."
"I've felt his speed, and if he comes out like I think he can, I don't think they'll even get level with him, let alone cross me."
"And if he leads and goes as well as last time, or even better as we hope, he'll be very hard to beat."
Jack remains hopeful he can even turn the tables on Just Believe in the Great Southern Star final (race eight) later in the night.
"I just know how much Anton's horses can improve from a trial to a race and then into a second race. I can't see why it won't be the same with this horse," he said.
"I'm a huge fan of Just Believe. It's amazing what he's been doing, but if we can get through the heat well and draw better than him in the final, I think we can really test him."
"I know he's a bit of a standout, but we're at least in line with Queen Elida and the others."
"It's just great to have a trotter like this come across and add so much to our big trotting races."
Jack will also drive rejuvenated veteran and former Victoria Cup winner Max Delight in the Hunter Cup."
"He's probably not quite good enough to win it even with the right run, but he's got the draw to suit if the emergency doesn't get a run," he said.
"If Catch A Wave moves into the pole, I'm sure he'll lead early and I'd love to see him hold the front because that's the way others have been able to beat Leap To Fame."
"I'd love to be behind the leader, but even three back on the inside would give us a chance to earn the way Max Delight was going before the hiccup last start."
