By Adam Hamilton
TRAINER David Aiken is tapping into some of the magic behind champion sprinter Black Caviar to boost Lennytheshark’s Perth Inter Dominion prospects.
In a change to his training routine, Lennytheshark mixes traditional trackwork with time on the water walker at Peter Clarke’s Murchison property, in rural Victoria.
Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody often referred to Clarke’s work with Black Caviar as a major influence on her amazing career.
“It seems to be having the desired effect,” Aiken said. “We’ve changed his program up and added the water walker. He’s thriving.”
Lennytheshark returns from almost five months out in Friday night’s VHRSC Classic (2240m) at Melton’s Tabcorp Park.
He’s drawn wide (gate six) in quite a strong race and has major rivals Five Star Anvil (gate one), Devendra (three) and Major Crocker (five) on his inside.
“It’s certainly not an easy race and he’s still a little on the big side, but all the signs are he’ll run really, really well,” Aiken said.
“He went close to the track record winning a Shepparton trial last week in a 1min56sec mile rate for 2190m.
“Even better was Josh (Aiken, driver) coming back and saying he felt ridiculously good.
“I really, really pleased with him going into this and knowing he’ll just keep improving with the racing.”
Aiken hopes to get three lead-up runs into Lennytheshark before heading to Perth for the first round of Inter heats on November 27.
That will depend on what flight he gets across to Perth.
“There’s the Markovina free-for-all in a couple of weeks and then the Smoken Up two weeks after that,” he said.
“He seems to have come back bigger and that bit stronger so I know he’ll thrive on the racing and enjoy the return to the traditional format of heats into a final.”
Aiken confirmed his noted front runner Cold Major would accompany Lennytheshark to Perth.
“He’s underrated because he’s a different horse when he leads. He can match it with the best in front, so he won’t be out of depth in Perth if the draws go his way,” he said.
“It’s also a great opportunity for Josh (Aiken) to be part of an Inter Dominion.”
Josh drove Lennytheshark in last week’s trial, but Chris Alford is his regular raceday driver.
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