Jacobsen dreams of a maiden Group 1 title

By Jordan Gerrans

Brisbane trainer Robert Jacobsen is daring to dream of a maiden Group 1 title.

And, is hopeful of having two chances to break through in the feature Gold Bullion.

Jacobsen’s kennel already has one hopeful in the big dance next Thursday evening at Albion Park, after emerging talent Crazy Cool upset the star-studded field to take out the second ever Group 3 Golden Ticket and, in the process, snaring a spot in the Group 1 Gold Bullion Final.

He is hopeful of landing a second Gold Bullion spot with the in-form Rowdy Roddy after he ran an encouraging third in the Group 1 National Derby Final last Saturday night at Wentworth Park. 

Rowdy Roddy lines up in one of the heats for the Gold Bullion on Thursday night at Albion Park ahead of the final seven days later.

Jacobsen has claimed a Group 3 race before and had his dogs place in Group 2 events but has never had a Group 1 on his resume.

The experienced trainer says a Group 1 triumph would make all the time, effort and money put into his kennel over the decades worth it.

“I have only been back in the dogs for three or four years,” Jacobsen said.

“I had dogs from when I was a teenager up until I was around 30, I stepped away for a few years to spend time with the family, but I am back in them properly now.

“It would be great to win my first Group 1, they do not come around every day and with a bit of luck, we might have two chances.”

Jacobsen bred Rowdy Roddy, a winner of three career races from 18 starts – to go with seven minor placings, which he says makes it even more special to be with the greyhound since he was a baby.

In the NSW Group 1 last week, Rowdy Roddy battled home hard to finish just over five lengths behind the winner, Zipping Moose, after getting away slowly from box four.

Jacobsen was proud of the way he toughed it out after his sluggish start, providing an indication of what kind of dog he could progress to become in the future.

“He just missed the kick in the final and held up for a run on the first corner, as well,” Jacobsen said.

“He could not get the run on the fence, was forced to go four or five wide down the back and he went past a few really good dogs.

“He went really well, and I was really impressed.

“Since that run, he has improved a lot, I always knew he was a good dog.

“He is a fast dog and he is just learning how to race, we saw that in the final down there.”

Rowdy Roddy (pictured below) has been handed the pink rug for the second of four heats for the Gold Bullion final on Thursday.

It is fair to say the trainer was hoping for an inside draw but will soldier on from out wide.

“He has drawn hard this week, it does not suit him at all, but you have got to be in it,” he said.

“He is a rails dog.

“While he has the ability to be up in the placings, the box eight is a very tough place to win from.

“In those big races, you just have to take it as it comes and hope for the best.”

The winner in each of the four heats progress to the Group 1 Gold Bullion final, with $150,000 going to the winner of the Group 1 showpiece.

With Crazy Cool already locked in for next Thursday, the fastest three second place finishers will advance to the final as well.