By Adam Hamilton
That’s because the pain of last year burns deep.
Lennytheshark dominated the 2015 Perth series and loomed a major chance again last year before injury struck and forced Aiken to scratch him after the last round of qualifying heats.
In Aiken’s own words: “We’ve got unfinished business in Perth.”
Lennytheshark is deep into the twilight of his career as eight-year-old, but you wouldn’t know it watching his two wins from as many starts this season.
He followed a sparkling first-up win in the Group 2 Smoken Up Sprint last Friday week with a similarly dominant win in last night’s $200,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup (2240m) at Melton’s Tabcorp Park.
It was his second Victoria Cup win – he won it two season’s back and didn’t compete against Lazarus last season – and now Aiken wants a second Inter Dominion title.
As Aiken left Perth after last year’s series, most would have thought if he returned in 2017 it would be with Hectorjayjay leading his change because he’s younger than Lenny and didn’t carry the injury luggage.
But, sadly, Hectorjayjay succumbed to a tendon injury a few months back and won’t return to Perth.
So it’s the old warrior, Lenny, who will fly Aiken’s flag again when the first round of Inter Dominion heats are run at Gloucester Park on November 24.
Aiken seemed more proud and reflective than excited after Lennytheshark did what most expected of the $1.20 favourite – led and won pretty much as he liked in the Victoria Cup.
The race was pretty much over after the draw when Lenny landed the pole and looked a certain leader.
“I was pretty certain he’d lead and when he scored-up so well behind the gate, I had no doubts,” driver Chris Alford said. “We went hard for 100m or so then he got a pretty comfy lead time, so I happy to let him roll from the 1200m. He never felt in danger.”
Lennytheshark clocked a brilliant 1min53.2sec mile rate for the 2240m, highlighted by the final three splits in 28.3, 28.1 and 27.7sec.
Owner-driver Ashlee Grives had the highlight of her career when she drove a gem of a race on her own mare Ameretto to charge home along the inside from three pegs to finish second.
And the run of Tiger Tara, who was first-up since July, to make so much ground from midfield and wide, was fantastic. He was just 4.2m away in third spot.
Star former Kiwi My Field Marshal settled well back from a second row draw, but after the slow lead time, driver Anthony Butt moved around to sit parked. It was too big an ask and he wilted late for seventh, 12.5m away.
The other eye-catching run came from the raw but immensely talented Victorian pacer San Carlo, who weaved his way through the field late for a clashing sixth. He the line strongly and won’t be out of his depth in Perth.
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