Trainer Simone Walker is hoping Hectorjayjay can measure up to Grand Circuit class this summer and his journey starts tomorrow in the United Petroleum Yarra Valley Pacing Cup.
Last season’s four-year-old Breeders Crown champion has had one trial last month to prepare for his first-up outing, finishing a narrow second to It Is Billy at Melton.
Hectorjayjay came from last in that trial with a scintillating final 800 metres in probably sub-54 seconds.
“We’ve got him about the same as he was at for that trial and I’m really happy with how he’s going. He’s very good actually,” Walker said.
Already a 22-time winner from 45 starts, it would surprise some to know he’s yet to break through for Group 1 success.
Walker is hoping that changes this summer either on the country cups circuit or during the Summer of Glory on Victoria or Hunter Cup night.
“Ultimately the Victoria Cup and Hunter Cup is the aim. He’s acquitted himself well with what he’s done so far so hopefully he can measure up,” she said.
Tomorrow will be the first time Hectorjayjay has seen the standing start tapes.
“He might be a little iffy at his first (standing) start. He’s had a couple of trials from the stand – he was good once and not so good the other time,” Walker said.
“The small field and the long distance of the race should suit even if he does step away poorly. I’d like to think him being the lone runner off 10 metres will be a blessing at his first go because he won’t have all that open space in front of him, he’ll be able to see other horses.”
Champion reinsman Gavin Lang will pilot Hectorjayjay tomorrow.
In-form Barimah is another pacer on the Summer of Glory trail for Moama trainer Tony Peacock.
A winner of three of his past four starts, Barimah is coming off an M0 win at Tabcorp Park when he defeated Beach Shack by a neck in 1:53.4 over 1720m.
Savesomtimetodream, an M3 assessed gelding, has barrier two and is a three-time winner from standing-start conditions. Conditions suit him tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Kotare Roland has the pole and is also safe from the stand. He ran second at Gunbower in the cup two starts back behind Almost El Eagle beaten a head.
Charlie Machsheen, nine-time standing start winner Macho Comacho and Glenferrie Hood are the other runners tomorrow.
The Zonzo Estate Yarra Valley Trotters Cup is Race 5 and features former Kiwi Dead Cat Bounce, who has made a strong start to his Australian career for Nicole Molander with wins at Gunbower and Melton.
The seven-event Yarra Valley Cup program kicks off at 1.57pm.
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