By Jason Bonnington
HUMAN nature dictates that potential is more attractive than achievement, promise more seductive than stability.
That’s why when Hectorjayjay takes his place in Saturday night’s Italian Cup at Melton the average harness fan will be beside themselves with glee.
A race made most famous as the arena for Popular Alm’s emotional comeback in 1984, this weekend the Italian Cup will be the next step in Hector’s star-making apprenticeship for team Aiken.
Of course, it won’t be easy.
Awaiting the dual Group 2 winner will be Super Series and NSW Derby winner, Major Secret, who himself is two runs into a brilliant comeback campaign.
He also draws the pole to aid his chances.
But most experts and almost all pacing enthusiasts are hoping and expecting that Hectorjayjay will prove too fast, too complete and too talented for his strong but less charismatic list of adversaries.
“It’s exciting to have a horse like him here; we always knew he was an extremely quick horse, everyone knew that, but watching him develop has also been a thrill,” Josh Aiken said.
“This week is another challenge because I’ve got great respect for the pole horse (Major Secret) but hector showed in the 4 and 5YO Championship that he can do some work as well.
“Whether he could race tough off a strong tempo and still sprint as quick I’m not sure but he’s certainly developed a lot not only with us but just from his years of racing before he came here.”
All things being equal, Victoria’s most exhilarating constant resident will progress from Saturday night’s $20K mini-feature to the Group 1 Len Smith Mile where he’ll be no doubt welcomed by superstar stablemate Lennytheshark.
The lover of promise, the devotee of the untapped will be dreaming of that clash and secretly hoping that the younger tyro can test his Inter Dominion and Victoria Cup winning co-habitant.
But if Josh and David Aiken are both on the pulse then there’s still a little water left to flow before that happens.
“I’m with Dad I suppose,” Josh said.
“I might think there’s little less between them than he does but Lenny had to run second in a Vic Cup and place in a Len Smith before he started winning those big races and Hector might have to as well.
“The beauty about our situation is that they’re two very different horses.
“Lenny is the king and he can do everything where Hector’s got that explosive speed when conditions suit.
“That means you can drive Hector a little more conservatively at the top level and get him battle-hardened for that type of racing without conceding him a real winning chance.
“Any race is winnable with a sprint like his.”
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