By Adam Hamilton
Emerging star Hectorjayjay will arrive in Perth as favourite to win the $1.1 million Inter Dominion final on December 9.
Such has been his brilliance winning 10 of his 14 starts since joining the David Aiken stable, Hectorjayjay has snatch favouritism from his stablemate and the defending champ Lennytheshark.
Hectorjayjay is $3.20 on the Aussie TAB with Lennytheshark at $4 and Ohoka Punter next at $9.
For most, Hectorjayjay’s explosive gate speed could be the difference.
And he showed that gate speed to win his final lead-up race, the Markovina free-for-all, at Bendigo last Friday night.
New driver Josh Aiken “cut the ribbons” from the outside draw (gate six), led easily and that was effectively the end of the race,
Aiken cruised through a 61sec middle half, then dashed home in 54.1 and 26.9sec to win as he liked from outsider Stunning Grin, who trailed him, and Yankee Rockstar who had the one-one trail.
Restrepo, who led throughout to upset Hectorjayjay in the Yarra Valley Cup at their previous clash, had to sit outside him this time and battled away soundly for fourth, just eight metres away.
“I wanted to dash him out, both to wake him up a bit ahead of Perth and also it was the easiest way to win the race,” Aiken said about Hectorjayjay.
“The best thing is that even when you dash him out, he comes back under you and relaxes beautifully. He’s the complete horse now.”
Lennytheshark was beaten but probably gained even more credibility when a fighting second to Bling It On in a sizzling 1min51.4sec mile rate in the Group 2 Smoken Up Sprint at Melton last Saturday night.
In a bit of a stop-start race, Chris Alford had to launch with a long three-wide run at the 800m and Lennytheshark charged to front rounding the home bend.
Luke McCarthy drove for luck, found Lenny’s back at the right time and just nabbed him in the last 30m to win by a half neck.
Lenny was clearly the run of the race, Bling It On returned to peak form and Guaranteed fought on well for third after sitting parked.
The disappointment was Major Crocker, who led, appeared to overrace at times for driver Jimmy Rattray, and tired from the home bend to finish 15.5m away in sixth spot.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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