Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

SCOOP JORDYNE has been getting closer, literally, to the winners' enclosure in its last three races, beaten three lengths, two lengths, a length and a quarter, and is primed to land tomorrow's overnight allowance at 1400 metres.

Trainer Patrick Lynch has reunited the five-year-old with Omar Walker, who was aboard when the gelding he last won in October last year.

In calling Walker, Lynch must be hoping for a change of fortunes as SCOOP JORDYNE, in his last three races, was outclassed twice and ended up being an unlucky loser against PHINEAS on October 18.

Announcing his return to form a week earlier, SCOOP JORDYNE had closed 10 lengths from off the pace to finish fifth, three lengths behind ROCK UNION, BORDER LINE and NEW KINGSTON at 1000 metres round.

Two-kilo claiming apprentice Kuri Powell was aboard SCOOP JORDYNE that afternoon and could have been forgiven as ROCK UNION was not for catching at 1000 metres round, a trip too short for Lynch's runner, especially among open overnight allowance company.

Powell, however, should have done far better October 18 when given a second chance aboard SCOOP JORDYNE, going a furlong and a half longer, in restricted overnight allowance, taking on horses who had never won at the level.

Drawn at post-position three, Powell got banged around at the start and fell in behind horses down the backstretch. Denied racing room by a wall of horses in a tight nine-horse field, the apprentice decided to take the wide route, which caused him to swing wide into the lane, seven lengths off the lead.

Set down for the drive, SCOOP JORDYNE made up tremendous ground on PHINEAS and AMICABLE but the rough trip and lengths wasted on the turn took toll inside the final half furlong, whereas his rivals were fresher and stronger at the end.

Lynch booted Powell for SCOOP JORDYNE's last run and called icon Paul Francis on November 1 for an 1100-metre sprint in open overnight allowance. However, he ran smack into the park's most improved horse, STEP IT UP, who turned in an impressive gate-to-wire run, staving off EDISON and SCOOP JORDYNE closing as a team.

Technically back down in class, among horses who have never won an overnight allowance, SCOOP JORDYNE has everything in his favour including the distance, 1400 metres, which should give him enough time to track the likes of CAMPESINO, AMICABLE and JACK DE CHARMER before pouncing off the home turn.