Emerging Victorian star Hectorjayjay is Queensland-bound.
Trainer David Aiken had planned a freshen-up, but Hectorjayjay’s breathtaking 4&5YO Championship win at Melton last Saturday night changed his mind.
“He forced our hand, he changed our minds. He went to another level the other night. We have to give him a chance against the big boys now,” Aiken said.
“He’s scary fast and the other night he showed a new side when he did so much work in a really fast last half and still won with the plugs in.
“I knew he was good when he came to our stable, but I didn’t realise just how good.”
Hectorjayjay has won four of five starts since a change of ownership saw him switch from Simone Walker’s stable to Aiken’s barn.
“He’d be unbeaten for us with any luck. His only defeat came when he drew inside the back row and never saw daylight,” Aiken said.
“This is a seriously exciting horse and I’m setting for the Perth Inter Dominion along with Lennytheshark.
“This guy can go to Queensland for the Sunshine Sprint (July 9) and Blacks A Fake (July 16), while Lennytheshark can go to Sydney.”
Lennytheshark finished a pre-training stint on the water-walker and returned to Aiken’s satellite stable on-course at Menangle yesterday (Monday).
The reigning Inter Dominion champ will go first-up into the Group 3 Golden Mile at Menangle on June 11.
Then comes the $100,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile at the same track on June 26.
“I can get him fit enough by working at Menangle and a trial before the Golden Mile and that run should top him off nicely for the Len Smith,” Aiken said.
“Then he’s out for another little break until the new season.
“He didn’t really need these races, but he puts on too much weight when he’s out spelling, so I didn’t want to leave him out too long.
“It’ll be great to have he and Hector to bring-up together towards Perth.”
Adam Hamilton