09 July 2019 | APG Media
AUSTRALIAN Pacing Gold purchase Yejele Hammer picked an ideal occasion to break his maiden status.
Having his sixth start for trainer Michael Stanley, Yejele Hammer caused a major upset in an Alabar Vicbred Super Series Final.
Despite being one of the despite outsiders at $55 on the TAB Tote, Yejele Hammer’s Group One success was no surprise to Stanley.
“I think he just became the overlooked horse,” Stanley said. “He’s run second in his Australian Pacing Gold heat and then in the Final at Albion Park.
“Given his long trip home from Albion Park he went into the Vicbred a little fresh and was always going to get better as the series progressed.
“I expected him to run a bold race and thought he could be in the finish with the right run.”
With Stanley holding the reins, Yejele Hammer began quickly to lead from barrier five before being eased to take a trail behind Pandering during the middle stages.
Angled away from the pegs at the top of the home straight the son of Somebeachsomewhere sprinted to a four-and-a-half metre win from Mirragon, with Pandering a metre-and-a-half away third.
“I was happy with the way he came out and then settled once I took a sit,” Stanley said. “When I asked him to go in the straight he responded brilliantly and knuckled right down to the task.
“He was felt terrific on the line.”
Runner-up at his first three starts, the two-year-old took his bankroll to $123,155 by rating 1:56.5 over 2240 metres.
“He’s just been so consistent since his debut,” Stanley said. “I will keep him fresh now before the Breeders’ Crown and hopefully he can have a bit of luck in that.”
Yejele Hammer was one of four APG eligible pacers to enjoy Group One glory on the card.
The two-year-old was joined by Pistol Abbey, Maajida and Kualoa as top shelf winners.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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