Jumpingjackmac beats out star-studded field to win Bunbury Pacing Cup

Outsider Jumpingjackmac came over the top of a star-studded field to win the $50,000 Bunbury Pacing Cup at Bunbury Trotting Club on Saturday night. Starting with a tough draw and at $23 odds, the Stuart McDonald-driven six-year-old stormed home down the straight to take out the 2569m G3 race for trainer Gary Hall Sr, holding off Pinny Tiger and pre-race favourite Swingband. Last year’s winner Lavra Joe finished fourth, while South West trainer Justin Prentice’s two star charges Mighty Ronaldo and Never Ending failed to fire, coming in fifth and sixth respectively. Speaking after the race, Hall said he had not yet confirmed his slot for next month’s $1.25 million Nullarbor, but the winner’s showing had given him plenty to think about. “We’re in no rush to have to decide, and the other two horses in the mix will run at Gloucester Park next Friday night,” he said. “I think it’s fair to say we’ll know a lot more then and make our decision after that.” Never Ending, the first confirmed entrant in the State’s richest harness race, was driven by Hall’s son Gary Jr, who said “he really cost himself by hanging so badly”. “He still felt like he had lots to give in the final stages, but I just couldn’t drive him out,” he said. “I’ve chatted with Justin and there’s a few things he can try. We’ve still got almost three weeks and another race to get it all right before the Nullarbor.”