THE couple of tears were those of relief.
Simone Walker was starting to wonder when he star pacer Hectorjayjay was going to win a “major” after so many big runs and near misses.
It came when he exploded along the sprint lane to brilliantly snatch the Group 2 Breeders Crown 4YO Championship for entires and geldings at Melton yesterday.
“Oh, thank god for that,” Walker sighed. “The only thing that could’ve been better was if the race was a Group 1 … hopefully that’s next.
“He’s been such a good horse in all the big races for a couple of years and now he’s won one of them. This is such a relief.”
Walker had a cunning pre-race plan and it sort of worked out.
“I wanted to cross Messini then hand-over to My General Lee quickly enough that Messini was stuck three back on the inside,” she said.
“I did my bit, but Chris (Alford, driver) was able to get Messini off the inside, which made me a bit nervous.”
Walker camped behind the leader, My General Lee, while Messini poured on the pressure.
“I just had to wait and hope My General Lee kept going long enough to get me right into the sprint lane,” she said.
“Thankfully he did and when my horse got the run he really sprinted quickly, which he usually does.
“I was definitely more relieved than anything else when I realised I had it won.”
Walker said she contemplated the Perth Inter Dominion later this year, but will instead keep Hectorjayjay in Victoria.
“He can have this next season going through the country cups here and maybe into a Victoria and/or Hunter Cup if he’s going as well as hope when they come around,” she said.
Walker contested an Inter Dominion 14 years ago with her previous best horse Hit The Spot, but said there was no comparison with the two pacers.
“Hit The Spot was a gem, but he was always and outsider in his races, whereas this horse is always one of the favourites,” she said.
“He’s a lot better horse. That speed he has is so exciting and such a great weapon.
“Hopefully today is just the start of things to come with him.”
My General Lee fought on well for second, while Messini became fired up after being bustled out at the start and overraced in the “death” seat.
To his credit, Messini did fight on bravely for third.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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