Jackpot Joe scores narrow victory in Albany Harness Racing Club’s Christmas Cup

Jackpot Joe scored a narrow victory in Albany’s Christmas Cup for trainer Barry Howlett on December 22. The final meeting before Christmas and New Year attracted a strong field of nominations across nine races at the Albany Harness Racing Club. The $11,000 Lion Christmas Cup (2265m) was won by talented four-year-old pacer Jackpot Joe, who was in the leading division throughout for driver Aldo Cortopassi. Jackpot Joe ($2.20) held off the strong advances of Im Themightylucy ($4.80) in the closing stages to win by 1.4m for Howlett and Cortopassi. The pair finished with a double after earlier combining to win race four with Hilarious Reign. The four-year-old jumped a $7 chance and tramped wide during the run, but finished powerfully to win by a neck over Sporting Grace ($4.40). Reinsman Trent Wheeler had a night out at Harold Reid Paceway, scoring four victories. Wheeler ended the night with wins aboard Hayden Reeves-trained pair Gota Good Warhol and Star Of Kaos. Star Of Kaos prevailed by 6m in the final race over 2265m, while Gota Good Warhol was dominant in the Albany Office Products Pace (2265m) to win by 29.7m as a raging $1.20 favourite. In race five, Wheeler was successful in the sulky with The Righteous controlling proceedings from start to finish at the short $1.75 quote. The Righteous was trained by Peter Anderson and the same stable produced Wheeler’s first winner, with Ellucifer taking out race two by 7.2m. Four-year-old Navy Street claimed the Cameron Caravans Pace (2247m) for trainer Aiden De Campo and driver Emily Johnson. Chilin scored his second career win after saluting as a $1.14 favourite for trainer Michael Young and driver Stuart McDonald in the first heat of the Harry Capararo Memorial Sprint. The opening race on the card was won by the Cody Wallrodt-trained Alta Maguire. Albany will host an eight-race card on Saturday night, highlighted by two heats in the Harry Capararo Memorial. The first race is set down for 6.06pm.