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Oxlade targets a Christmas cracker for Jack's next mission 

The Christmas Handicap is the next mission for smart Strathalbyn sprinter One More Jack following his City Of Marion success last weekend. 

Trainer Shane Oxlade said the horse had pulled up perfectly from his last-stride victory and would now try and become the first horse since Trevor Dansie’s Hidden Value completed the late-year Listed sprint double back in 2012. 

“It’s a thrill to win any race, but always good to win those better ones,” Oxlade said. 

“He came home and ate everything. He had an easy day yesterday, went on the walker today and he’ll just poke around between now and the Christmas. 

“Another Listed race at home is always a nice option.” 

One More Jack was ridden by Paul Gatt for the first time, and Oxlade said the horse surprised his new jockey given the blistering tempo in the race had them off the bit and chasing throughout. 

“‘Gatty’ said he was never on the bridle,” Oxlade said. 

“He said he was thinking ‘Gee, if this horse wins this he’s going good’ (because he was never travelling). 

“But once he got out and got a bit of clear air and a chance to wind up he just finished too good.”

One More Jack made it four wins from four starts at Morphettville and took his prizemoney to $223,330 following his eighth career win from just 13 starts. 

And Oxlade said he was buoyed by the fact the horse’s two best runs this campaign have come in defeat. 

“As I was saying the other day, arguably his two best runs this time in were when he’s been beaten,” Oxlade said. 

“I thought he was really good in Melbourne and even his first here run this time in was super. 

“He was five and six deep the trip over 1100m and was nowhere to be seen until the final 100m. You could argue they were his two best runs.”

Beyond the Christmas Handicap, Oxlade said he would assess the program before making a decision.

However, he said One More Jack would more than likely pull up stumps and a program be mapped towards the Adelaide Festival of Racing in May. 

But he was also quick to acknowledged South Australia’s rich sprinting stocks, led by Everest placegetter Gytrash, Group 1 winners Behemoth and Bella Vella, along with the in-form Kemalpasa. 

“That’s where you’re obviously heading, but there are some fairly handy sprinters floating around South Australia at present,” Oxlade said. 

“You turn around and find yourself a nice horse and there are about four others. 

“But you’ve got to be there; you never know what can wrong with your horse or others.” 

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