By Adam Hamilton
Top Aussie trainer David Aiken is bracing himself for a hectic next month.
And it could still include a raid on the Harness Jewels with his classy four-year-old mare Rockstar Angel.
Throw in the fact his two stable stars Lennytheshark and Hectorjayjay are close to racing again and there is plenty on Aiken’s plate.
First, let’s get the very latest on Rockstar Angel and what hope she is on contesting the depleted 4YO Diamond at the Jewels?
“I had a long talk with Brendan (James, owner) this morning and there’s definitely a chance she will head across,” Aiken said. “We had a bit of a minor setback with her, but she seems really well again now.
“It comes down to this. She’s fast-working this Saturday then there is a race for her at Menangle on Saturday week.
“It’s possible, if she runs really well at Menangle, then the flight leaves from Sydney to Auckland on the Monday after that race.”
Aiken is leaving the final decision to James.
But with Golden Goddess out and Piccadilly Princess seemingly racing below her best, it will surely be tempting to put Rockstar Angel on the plane.
Now Aiken’s other “rockstars”, Lennytheshark and Hectorjayjay.
“Hectorjayjay is set to go. I thought about given him two runs before the Len Smith (June 25), but I’ve settled on a trial and one race,” Aiken said.
“At this stage he’ll trial not this weekend, but next and then he race in the Young Pedro free-for-all at Melton on June 9. I like that two week gap from there into the Len Smith.”
Lennytheshark is also set to have just the one lead-up run before the Len Smith.
“He’ll run in the Golden Mile at Menangle, which is the night after Hectorjayjay runs in the Young Pedro,” Aiken said.
Beyond the Len Smith Mile, Aiken said it was “90 per cent” likely both Lennytheshark and Hectorjayjay would head to Queensland for the Group 1 winter double in the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake.
“You can’t keep them apart forever. The Len Smith and the two big races in Queensland suit both horses so we’re happy to run them against each other,” Aiken said.
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