A daring ride by Kylan Wiles paved the way for tenacious mare Jakama Krystal to add a second win on the Te Rapa card for trainers Peter and Jessica Brosnan as she raced away with the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) on Saturday.
The nine-year-old daughter of Jakkalberry is normally seen disputing the pace in her races but a change in tactics saw her settle near last for the first half of the contest before edging nearer with 1600m to run.
Jakama Krystal was in the zone with her jumping and she flew the two fences down the back straight as she forged to the front and put the pressure on her rivals.
Wiles sent her for home at the 600m and the mare responded in fine style as she put a break on Countryman and Super Spirit, who were chasing bravely but to no avail, as Jakama Krystal established a margin of five lengths on her rivals which she held comfortably to the winning post.
Jessica Brosnan was all smiles as she recalled they had produced the last winner of the race which hadn’t been run since 2019.
“We changed tactics a little bit today as we thought there would be a lot of speed on and there was,” Brosnan said.
“We actually won the last running of the Hunt Cup with Pythagoras, so we had the trophy out on the bench at home this morning.
“We haven’t had the race since then so we have been pushing the Club to get back into it as they are the heart of racing here.
“We will keep chipping away with her (Jakama Krystal) and we will see where we take her next although we have been looking at Woodville (13 July). We just work her on the treadmill these days as she is older and has wear and tear, so every win is a bonus.”
Wiles was also thrilled with the win after admitting he wasn’t too sure of his chances in the early running.
“When she jumped out of the gates and was right back I thought no chance as she is usually up front and handy,” he said.
“I just left her alone for the first couple (of fences) and then she began chipping away at them and when I asked her she would just take off.
“Down the back I thought I’d cruise around them and she cantered into it before I really let her go and she felt like the winner from there.
“The way she settled in behind them today I think a race like the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4200m) might be one for her.”
A winner of seven of her 67 races, Jakama Krystal holds a special place in the hearts of her Matamata mentors, as she was formerly trained by a close friend in the late Glynn Brick prior to his tragic passing in 2020.