Brilliant pacer Hectorjayjay is set to arrive in Brisbane next Monday.
The last start Gr.1 Len Smith Mile winner at Menangle where he ran down stablemate and current Inter Dominion champion Lennytheshark will tackle the open class features of the 2016 Brisbane winter carnival at Albion Park.
The David Aiken trained gelding will start in Saturday week’s Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint followed by the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake the following week.
And owner Matt McLellan can’t wait to get amongst the action.
“The Queensland campaign has been on the radar for some time and I’m really looking forward to getting up there to cheer him home, it’s going to tough competition with the likes of Christen Me, Ohoka Punter and the local stars Avonnova and Ultimate Art but I’ve got complete faith in my horse and he justified that last Sunday.” McLellan said.
Hectorjayjay not only won the Len Smith Mile last Sunday, he did the unthinkable by giving Lennytheshark a start and a beating.
Starting from a shocking draw, the outside of the second-line and coming off a setback the previous week which forced his scratching from the Italian Cup at Melton before traveling to Sydney, Hectorjayjay produced his trademark blistering burst of speed at the top of the big Menangle straight before blowing past his rivals.
Again, the winning drive from master reinsman Gavin Lang was faultless but the performance clearly illustrated that Hectorjayjay is a serious player at the elite level.
“I’m still on cloud nine from the weekend and I think I’ve worn the replay out because I’ve watched it so many times since, it really is the biggest rush and greatest thrill when you have a horse produce an effort like that. Like most, I didn’t think he could beat Lennytheshark but he did and it’s just so amazing to believe he’s risen to a higher level this quickly.
“We all know he’s been blessed with great ability but I thought it would take a little longer to settle into this style of elite racing, I know David (Aiken) and his team are still working him out and that’s the thing that surprises the most. The Brisbane features will certainly tell us a lot more about him and that’s exciting.
“He’ll improve further off his Len Smith Mile victory and that augers well for Brisbane because the racing will be fierce but I’m confident he’ll be amongst the action again. After Brisbane, he’ll freshen up and get ready for Perth and the Inter Dominion series.”
The barrier draw for the Sunshine Sprint will be conducted next Tuesday (July 5).
The Albion Park track record is held by champion pacer Im Themightyquinn at 1:50.4 when successful in this race two years ago.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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