BEFORE he got out on track he was knocking over gigs in the stable, but once Joint Venture was out on track nothing got in his way.
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The Mat Rue trained and driven five-year-old made it a win on debut in the Stu Valentine 4 Bloodstocks Ins Pace (1,730 metres), leading from start to finish.
Though it is clear the Grinfromeartoear x Joint Pockets gelding still has plenty to learn and Rue will continue to be patient with him, it was a promising start.
"He got a little bit stirred up before he started, but I think it's all come pretty quick for him," Rue said.
"I think he had some educational trials a year ago and Monday night [trials] was the first time he's been back up here since, so he's had a pretty big week.
"He went sore in the tendon as a three-year-old and had quite a long time off and after today's win he'll more than likely have a little break now.
"I think he'll really benefit from that and come back a lot better."
In his trial at the Bathurst Paceway on Monday night, Joint Venture was impressive as he finished 7.9m clear of his nearest rival, getting home in a 28.9 seconds quarter.
That effort saw him start as the $1.40 favourite on Sunday and from barrier five he began well.
Joint Venture was quick enough to be able to cross for the lead into the first bend, taking up position five metres ahead of Jilliby Gypsy in the trail.
That was the margin as the bell for the final lap sounded and into the back straight Joint Venture looked to be travelling nicely.
The half was brought up in 62.8 seconds, but at the same time Crazy Shippo was on the charge.
The Doug Hewitt driven chance got within 1.5m of the lead, Rue having to tap up his front runner with 600m to go in response to the challenge.
The gap had opened up to around six metres at the 400m, Joint Venture peeling off a 28.4 split for the third quarter.
Though Crazy Shippo ($6) came again, Joint Venture had his measure to take the honours by 5.8m.
That duo finished well clear of third-placed Thirsty Sportsman ($5), who was another 14.7m back.
Rue admitted he did get nervous when Hewitt's runner challenged, but was pleased with the way Joint Venture finished. He clocked a 1:59.9 winning mile rate on a day when the wind was around 33km/hr.
"When Doug moved up [with Crazy Shippo], he had a good turn of foot Doug and actually had me a bit worried there for a bit," Rue said.
"But he did find the line well and it's very windy out there, so it's hard to run time today.
"He's very green this guy, he doesn't know what racing is all about yet. We'll see, but I think after he has a few runs under his belt he'll do a good job."
