It may have been only a modest Class 5 event, but emotions ran high at the winner’s circle after Swinglowsweetjacky notched his second career-win in Race 6 on Friday night.

The I Am Invincible five-year-old is named after the late Jacky Low, trainer Shane Baertschiger’s former stable jockey and once apprenticed to his father Don, who died on December 9, 2012 from a motorcycle accident, leaving behind a widow and four daughters.

Being a great supporter and friend of Low’s, (who rode his Black Jack to many wins), owner-lawyer Desmond Ong was one of the first to step forward to help the family. The Liverpool fan and Anfield Stable principal not only assisted with the compensation, especially all the legal aspects, but he went the extra mile by naming two horses in Low’s tribute – My Boy Jack and Swinglowsweetjacky.

 

My Boy Jack is now retired, but during his short career at Kranji, the son of Statue Of Liberty racked up a decent record of three wins and two placings from 16 starts.

Swinglowsweetjacky has been slightly less successful with only one win recorded as a maiden more than a year ago, but Ong said win or lose, his runs are always special moments for the whole team.

And when the $70 shot came off a sweet spot to swing in - pun fully intended - a second win in the $35,000 Class 5 Division 2 race, Ong looked up to the skies and whispered: “That one’s for you, Jacky” before heading out to the winner’s stall.

“We have a number of horses, but there is a tear every time this horse runs,” said Ong who had his father and Anfield partner by his side as they walked over to the Champagne Room to toast to the win.

“I’m very happy. It’s been a long wait, but he’s finally won,” added Ong’s father.

Baertschiger said Swinglowsweetjacky may not have crossed the line first for a while, but had lost no marks at his last few runs, and probably just needed more ground.

“He was looking for more ground. He was in good form and I’m glad he won for Des, his dad, and also in Jacky’s memory,” said the Australian handler.

“Jacky may have left us five years ago, but we still feel the void he left behind. We still have his framed silks on the wall at the stable.”

Winning jockey Syafiq Hazman was not with the Baertschiger yard then, but he was certainly pleased he has steered the honest gelding (known as Cousin Vinnie in Australia) home for his happy connections.

He said the instructions were to lead if the opportunity presented itself, but to take a sit if someone else was quicker.

“I was told to lead if I could, but drop to second or third if I couldn’t,” said Syafiq.

“I had a nice run with cover behind Astro Man, and when I saw him and the leader (Perfect Curiosity) fighting, I knew they would come back to me.

“I had plenty of horse under me and when I asked him to go, he hung in a bit, but he ran on very well.”

Swinglowsweetjacky posted a half-length win from Perfect Curiosity with Sun Dance (Wong Chin Chuen) third another head away. The winning time was 1min 23.86secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.