By Adam Hamilton
Top trainer David Aiken has barely got his breath back after a turbulent Perth Inter Dominion and now his stable stars are back in action again.
Aiken trained Hectorjayjay to a fantastic second behind Smolda in the Perth final, but lost defending champion Lennytheshark from the great race with a niggling hoof issue.
Hectorjayjay returns from a let-up in Saturday night’s $60,000 Group 2 Shepparton Cup (2690m).
Lennytheshark returns a week later in the Group 1 Ballarat Cup where he will face Smolda and maybe even Lazarus.
The Aussie TAB has Hectorjayjay $1.10 to make it 12 wins from his past 16 starts. He hasn’t finished worse since a desperately unlucky fifth at Melton on April 22, last year.
It will be a huge surprise if Josh Aiken doesn’t take him straight to the front from gate there and win as he likes at Shepparton.
Then it’s straight into the Group 1 Victoria Cup against the megastars of the sport at Melton on January 28.
“He’s has a Shepparton trial last week, another good workout at Bendigo last Monday and he’s ready to go,” Aiken said.
Lennytheshark sharpened-up for his return at Ballarat with a cosy trial win at Shepparton last Tuesday night. He cruised around in a 1min57.9sec mile rate for 2190m, quickening home in 57.8sec.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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