Rising star’s arduous first-up task

A STAR among his crop last summer, promising pacer Jawsoflincoln will attempt to emulate the feat against open company this season.

Proving too good as a three-year-old, Jawsoflincoln captured the SAHRC, Gawler and South Australia Derbys as well as the Sires’ Produce by a whopping 43 metres!

Sent for a well-earned spell in early December, the Greg Scholefield-trained entire will make his return at Globe Derby this evening.

Faces a difficult first-up assignment, Jawsoflincoln is being readied for the various country cups, which culminate in a Final at Port Pirie on April 15.

Strathalbyn will host the first cup on February 26.

“I had him ready to go a couple of weeks ago, but was having trouble finding a race for him,” Scholefield said.

“He’s pretty fit and ready to run a good race, but he does need the run.

“It’s not an ideal starting point for him going up against open class pacers at his first run as a four-year-old.”

Along with a strong assembly of opposition, Jawsoflincoln has drawn the outside of the second row.

Despite the arduous task TAB Fixed Odds have the son of Art Major listed as a $1.90 favourite.

In-form gelding Premonition, which boasts four wins and two thirds from his last six starts, is considered the main danger at $5.50 from the pole.

“There is a bit of form in the race and he’ll need a touch of luck from there,” Scholefield said. “As I said, he’s in good shape, but will improve on whatever he does today.”