Jockey Harry Coffey is looking forward to reuniting with Detonator Jack when the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper returns to Sandown.
The lightly raced galloper runs in the Tile Importer Handicap (1600m) on Saturday looking to land his fifth win from only seven career starts.
Coffey was aboard Detonator Jack when he scored a three-length debut win at Bendigo in March before following up with win back-to-back wins at Sandown with John Allen in the saddle.
Detonator Jack rounded out his three-year-old year by running third to Jungle Magnate in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville at start number four.
The now four-year-old has had two starts this campaign, for a first-up 1400m win at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day before a last start second to Green Fly, an opponent on Saturday, at Ballarat.
“It’s awesome to be given the opportunity from Ciaron and Dave and the owners,” Coffey said.
“He’s a lovely horse and with John Allen getting suspended, it has allowed me to reunite with him, so I’m really looking forward to it on Saturday.”
Coffey remembers Detonator Jack’s debut win well.
He said he rang Eustace following the Bendigo meeting to say what a nice horse he was while also mentioning it to Allen.
“I got the feeling Johnny was wanting to take the seat pretty quickly,” Coffey said.
“He was a bit of a lad early on, but I think they’ve ironed that out pretty well and he’s putting it altogether now.”
After his past two runs on ground with give Coffey is looking forward to seeing Detonator Jack on a firmer surface, along with a rise in trip.
“He’s a big powerful horse who has a lovely big action and dry tracks usually suit those types of horses,” Coffey said.
“It’s great to be back on him, but when I did have that first sit on him, I thought he was a pretty nice horse and would like to ride him again.
“Unfortunately, it’s taken this long to get back on him.”