By Tayler Strong
Jakira was an impressive winner when starting afresh at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
“She is a lot stronger after a break,” said Dexter Dunn, who drove the 3yr-old Somebeachsomewhere – Easys Dream filly for trainer Cran Dalgety. Jakira is raced by her Brisbane breeders David Harvey and Mark Balding.
Her best effort in five starts early in the season was a fifth and she had not raced for four and a half months.
She qualified as a 2yr-old at Rangiora 12 months ago.
“She was sent to me as a late yearling and is just taking a bit of time like some of the stock of Somebeachsomewhere,’’ said Dalgety.
Jakira is the second foal of Easys Dream, a Dream Away mare who six races in the Auckland area.
Jakira was eighth on the inner for much of the way on Thursday and still four back at the 400m. Dunn switched her to the outer and she powered home to win by two and a half lengths in a 2.00.1 rate for the 1700m (mobile).
Duchess Grace, who changed hands three weeks ago was having her third start for new owners from the Ryal Bush stable of Brett Gray when she won against 1-4 win trotters.
The 6yr-old Monarchy mare is now raced by Errol Forde, Barry Howden, Craig O’Callaghan and Russell Morton, who all help out in the Gray stable.
Duchess Grace won at Invercargill in September when owned and trained by Brian Norman.
Gray also won a maiden race with Pay Me Jimmy, who ran on boldly wide out. Pay Me Jimmy, raced by the Don’t Tell Mum syndicate and co-breeder Greg Hart, of Alexandra, is a 3yr-old by Christian Cullen and the fourth winner from as many foals to race from his dam Pay Me Painter.
Playboy Prince had his second win since being claimed for $5000 by Oamaru trainer Eion Latimer.
Bontz came off a second row draw to win the first heat of the sprint series over 1200m.
“We set her for this,’’ said Bryan Jager, manager of the Thirsty Thursday syndicate, who race Bontz with Leeston co-trainer Glenys Chmiel. Jager bought Bontz south and the 5yr-old mare was driven by Stephen McNally.
Lyndon Durham, the Milton owner-trainer, had his first win for close on five years when the trotter Midnight Fever led over the final 1000 of 2200m. He races 4yr-old Great Success – Faint Hearted mare with his partner, Sonya Farquharson. They bred Midnight Fever, a half sister to trotting winners Mooloolaba and Left Right Andcentre.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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