By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM-based trainer Kim Mayberry has prepared many winners in his time but not many compare to the win of Jacks ‘n’ Kings at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
And it was a family triumph that made it so special.
Kim’s wife Gayle has played a huge role in the Mayberry operation for years, but only 12 months ago she gain a licence, joining her husband as a registered co-trainer.
Jacks ‘n’ Kings was Gayle’s first city runner, and became her first city winner when the five-year-old King Cugat gelding raced away with the $35,000 APC Logistics Handicap (3000m).
“It was a very, very special night and I was probably more excited for Gayle to be honest,” Kim said.
“I’ve had plenty of runners in town over the years but this is on par with anything I’ve experienced, it was seriously exciting.”
The Mayberry’s have done a wonderful job with Jacks ‘n’ Kings, who has switched camps twice this year, from Lee Creek in Mount Gambier, to Craig Stewart in Millicent, before lobbing at the Mayberry’s property in Pakenham in early September.
He had poor form and wasn’t much to look at.
“We were unsure whether to buy him, but the owners told us he could jump, and we’re trying to build a jumps team, so that got us over the line,” Gayle said.
“He’s a massive horse, 18 hands, but a real gentle giant, so we just had to be patient and now it’s paid off.
“He’s amazing, such a lovely horse and I think we’re going to have some real fun with him.”
The Mayberry’s have already had their share of fun, with Friday night’s win making it two wins and two placings for Jacks ‘n’ Kings in just four starts for the stable. Kim Mayberry said original plans had now been turned on their head.
“He’s has absolutely exceeded all expectations,” he said.
“When we got him he had a rating of 47, which made it very difficult to gain a start anywhere in Victoria, but he gained 15 rating points on Friday and is now up to a rating 69.
“He’s been fast tracked now, just the way he won it was emphatic and he was still sprinting strong at the end of 3000-metres.
“We’ve got him entered for a listed race at Werribee and the Bagot Handicap is an option.”
Kim said the future looked bright for Jacks ’n’ Kings when he does finally make his way over the obstacles.
“We love jumpers, we always have, and this bloke is one of the most natural jumpers I’ve seen,” he said.
“We sent him over the jumps and he was very impressive, and my exact words to Gayle were… ‘We’re going to have a bit of fun with this horse’.”
It seems like the smile is going to remain on the Mayberry’s faces for quite some time to come.
