Cover Boy Wins Karrakatta Plate

Even before Hobart Jones won last Saturday’s Group Two half million dollar Karrakatta Plate at Ascot he was already a cover boy.

In a unique occurrence, a photo of Hobart Jones at last year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, was selected to adorn the cover of the catalogue for the upcoming Perth Autumn Thoroughbred Sale at Belmont.

The photo of the exciting youngster with Rangeview Stud’s Mikala Pate was chosen with no knowledge of who the yearling would turn out to be.

On Saturday with the catalogue printed, Hobart Jones scored a breakthrough stakes success when he powered home to win the state’s richest juvenile race.

Coming with a well timed run under replacement rider Jason Brown, Hobart Jones finished too well to edge out Vitalism and Jezpark.

Bred by Rob and Jody Gray of Rangeview Stud, Hobart Jones was purchased by leading horseman Vern Brockman for $50,000 at last year’s Perth Yearling Sale.

The trainer, affectionately known in the west as the Earl of Vasse, said Hobart Jones had a perfect preparation leading into the Karrakatta.

“We haven’t had one thing go wrong all the way through which is pretty remarkable,” Brockman said.

“He’s a wonderful horse and he tries very hard.”

Hobart Jones is the first stakes winner for his young Danetime sire So Secret – a Group Three winning half brother to Group One winner Covertly, stakes winner Secret Link and stakes placed Siesta Park.

The handsome dark grey colt is one of two winners, from three to race, for his dam Tribulot. Her other runner is city placed.

A daughter of Tribu, Tribulot won five races to 1300 metres and earned over $100,000 before being retired to stud.

Her latest weanling, a lovely So Secret full sister to Hobart Jones, will be prepared by Rangeview Stud for next year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.