War Jet has provided the Cleary family with an emotional day by taking out the 2015 Tony Campbell Cup at Canberra.
The son of War Pass made all and held off a closing Just A Blur for a success which meant plenty to trainer Joe Cleary and his family.
“Tony was great mates with the Cleary Clan,” Joe Cleary said.
“I was a pallbearer at his funeral. He has been part of our family for 25 years, he used to spend every Christmas Day with us.
“We were so close to Tony. Every Saturday night they used to have dinner together.
“When Tony got crook he lived at home with us.”
War Jet has been a revelation for connections, arriving at the Cleary stable following four starts to commence his career with Peter and Paul Snowden which yielded a provincial maiden success at Hawkesbury.
Since under the care of Cleary, War Jet has amassed five wins and a minor placing from eight starts including a metropolitan success and now victory in the Tony Campbell Cup.
“I targeted this horse at this race,” Cleary said.
“He is a nice horse, he is going to go a long way. He has got good owners, good upside and a very, very bright future.
“He will go to Sydney now and then we will be off to Melbourne on Oaks Day.
“I may back off him as well and go to one of the Magic Millions races in January.”
Four of those wins have been recorded under the guidance of jockey John Kissick.
Three of those have seen the pair stride to the front in a bid to make all, as was the case at Canberra on Friday.
“When we got the lead, we got it pretty easy,” Kissick said.
“Joey (Cleary) said to crank the tempo up from the 600m and get Just A Blur chasing. I think it worked.
“I was fretting at the 200m when I dropped my stick but he kept finding.
“He is a lovely horse because he switches off and is in for a dog fight every time. He is a good horse, I am privileged to be on him.”
Outside of the Tony Campbell Cup, 2014-15 Canberra Trainer Premiership-winner Keith Dryden recorded a treble through the remaining seven races on the program.
Atlantic Sentinel commenced the afternoon in winning fashion for Capital Lodge by taking out a 1400m Maiden Plate while Ziganui took out Race 4, a 1200m Maiden Plate.
Dryden’s promising filly Flash In The Dark rounded out the day with a first up success in a Benchmark 55 Handicap.
The daughter of Northern Meteor saluted in a photo finish over Luke Pepper-trained outsider The Big Rig with the Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones-trained Bank On Henry a luckless third.
