Mad Jack to debut for "The Master" at Addington on Friday night

4 September 2025 , Punters Info

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

A quick look through the pedigree convinced trainer Paul Nairn that it was worth taking the risk with his recent acquisition Mad Jack.

The Love You six-year-old will have his first start for the Leeston trainer at Addington on Friday night in Race 7, the Hamptons ITM Handicap Trot (7.39).

The winner of five from 22 for Amber Hoffman, Mad Jack hasn't started since a fourth at Addington in July 2024.

On being approached to train the gelding Nairn went through his breeding. It immediately got him interested.

"I saw there was a good horse going back that Jack Litten, my grandfather, turned down and I thought I'm not going to make the same mistake."

That horse is Mad Jack's fifth dam Special Pride. In the early 1980s Special Pride won 13 races, highlighted by Group 1 success in the Rowe Cup in 1980. She also had nine placings.

As a broodmare Special Pride was a good producer. Among her progeny was former Inter-Dominion champion and 1999 New Zealand Trotter of the Year Special Force (27 wins)

Nairn's "Pop" Litten was one of the all-time training greats in this country and associated with champions including Caduceus and False Step while Nairn, who's known as "The Master", has an incredible track record with trotters through the likes of Call Me Now and Stig.

So how does Mad Jack stack up?

"I've only had him since May but he seems genuine and has a nice way of going."

Mad Jack has not been to the trials ahead of his resumption with Nairn saying "he's working well enough at home".

Standing off 10 metres, Mad Jack opened at $7 and has since come into $3.50.

"I just hope his manners are good and he finishes it off good," says Nairns, "if that happens he's a good chance."

He faces a field that includes Kawhi ($3.40) and a strong Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained trio of Ya Rite Darl ($5.50), Tyron Eros ($5.50) and I Dream Of Jeannie ($15).

Mad Jack has also been nominated for the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11.