Just Act Natural Tunes Up For Kalgoorlie
Paul Roberts says Just Act Natural can showcase his adaptability when he returns in the 2017 Ascot Racing Carnival-Book Now Handicap (1200m) at Belmont Park on Saturday.
The talented front running speedster has won five of his six races by leading, but Roberts believes the son of Natural Blitz may have to adopt a change of tactics.
“He is definitely not a one trick pony,” Roberts said on Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.
“It sort of just worked out how he jumps well and has been able to cruise to the front.
“He missed the start one day in Perth and was back last, but flew home.
“His sectional was really good and he can sit back and ping home.
“He may even take a sit tomorrow (Saturday), but it depends on what My Greek Boy does.”
Just Act Natural has not raced since he outgunned last week’s Bolton Sprint winner, Profit Street, by one length over 1200m at Ascot in May.
The gelding, a winner of over $200,000 in prizemoney and Westspeed earnings, is on a path towards next month’s Hannans Handicap (1400m).
Just Act Natural has yet to be tested beyond 1200m, but Roberts is confident he can overcome a distance query in the Kalgoorlie feature.
“He is by Natural Blitz and the mother was a Corporate Raider mare,” Roberts said.
“Most of them could run between anything from a 1000m to 1400m or 1500m.
“Since we have taken the blinkers off he relaxes and has a nice cruising speed.
“I thought the Kalgoorlie track with a shorter straight would suit him nice.”
Just Act Natural and Universal Law share TAB favouritism at $3.80. Universal Law, a member of the powerful Grant and Alana Williams stable, returns off a 231-day spell.
The Beneteau gelding holds an imposing Belmont Park record and warmed up for his return with a trial hit out, running third to Cash On Call over 950m at Lark Hill.
Roberts said with a Kalgoorlie campaign pencilled in for Just Act Natural, the five-year-old would not be fully wound up for his first up assignment.
“He has got a bit to go,” Roberts said.
“Everything is aimed towards Kalgoorlie.
“I expect him to run well, but he has got a bit of improvement in him.”
Earlier in the day Roberts saddles another top fancy, Dutch Spy, who will look to go one better in the Kirin Megumi Handicap (1300m).
Dutch Spy covered ground and loomed a winner first-up a fortnight back, but fell a short-head second to Cherie Armour.
Roberts predicts a bright future for the son of So Secret.
“He is a really nice horse who was a little undone,” Roberts said.
“He just layed in and touched the other horse at the wrong time, otherwise he probably would have won.”
