JUMBO LANDS AT FLEMINGTON

Flemington was the home of Jumbo Ozaki’s most excruciating defeat 12 months ago but on Wednesday it was the scene of his first triumph since by a slender margin.

Jumbo Ozaki was memorably held up for the length of the Flemington straight when striving for three consecutive wins to start his career in a three-year-old handicap over 1400 metres.

Watch Jumbo Ozaki's thrilling nose victory

View post race interview with trainer Danny O'Brien

View post race interview with jockey Craig Williams

A frustrating three-start campaign to start this season with trainer Phillip Stokes saw him placed three times before winning second up this prep on Wednesday under current conditioner Danny O’Brien.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Jumbo Ozaki ($1.95 favourite) defeated Polanco ($10) by a nose with Battle Torque ($151) a further short head away in third.

“I thought inside the 100 metres that a couple of them were finishing better but full credit to him, he just kept sticking his neck out and he tried really hard,” O’Brien said.

“He’s a very big horse so those horses can often take a while to really put it together.

“Even thought he’s got a good record, as he gets older and stronger he’ll improve further. It’s good to see him back on the winners list.”

Jumbo Ozaki is yet to miss a place from eight starts, winning three times with the four-year-old gelding by Unencumbered taking his prizemoney beyond the $115,000 mark.

Story by Carl Di Iorio for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos