DAVID Aiken can’t split his star pair Lennytheshark and Hectorjayjay in the countdown to Saturday week’s $750,000 Miracle Mile.
Both have been heavily-backed to win their respective lead-up sprints at Menangle this Saturday night.
Lennytheshark has been $2.10 into $1.85 with the Aussie TAB to beat the likes of Bling It On and Have Faith In Me in the Group 1 Canadian Club Sprint, while Hectorjayjay has firmed from $1.60 to $1.50 in the Group 1 Allied Express Sprint.
“It’s easy to say Hectorjayjay is so fast and brilliant that he’s a better miler, but when they go a really hard mile at Menangle, the stayers often win,” Aiken said.
“Look at last year’s Miracle Mile. They went the record time and the two best stayers, Have Faith In Me and Lenny, ran first and second.
“A lot will depend on how the race is run. If they go hard all the way, then Lenny comes right into his own.
“If it’s more of a speed test, then Hector has that brilliance.
“I’m just lucky to have two horses as good as them heading towards the race.”
Aiken said both Hectorjayjay and Lennytheshark have thrived since their last runs during Victoria’s Summer of Glory.
Hectorjayjay hasn’t raced since finding early trouble, breaking stride and then running a 1min50.4sec last mile when fifth to Lazarus in the Victoria Cup.
“He came through that hard run surprisingly well and I can’t fault him since,” Aiken said. “The draw (to start from gate four) is good for him this week. I think he’ll find the lead, whether straight away or off Tact Tate when they settle, and he’ll be very hard to beat.
“I know it will be a serious test though. Salty Robyn is there and I thought his run was great against Lazarus last week.
“The way Shane (Tritton) wants his horses driven, you’d expect they will be going a 1min49sec mile or quicker this week.”
Lennytheshark’s last run was that mighty third, after doing all the work, behind Bling It On in the Hunter Cup last Saturday week.
“He’s as good as I’ve had him. I thought his Hunter Cup run was enormous and he’s on the up,” Aiken said.
“The draw (gate two) is great for him as well. He’s quicker out than people give him credit for and I think he’ll lead.”
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