Trainer David Aiken loves Hectorjayjay, but he is just a little more emotionally connected to stablemate Lennytheshark.
And that’s why Aiken will be at Menangle instead of Swan Hill on Saturday night.
If you win an Inter Dominion, like Lennytheshark did in Perth last year, you earn than connection.
“I’ll be at Menangle. I’m taking Lenny up to Sydney on Wednesday,” Aiken said. “But I’ll be watching Hector closely on TV (when he runs in Saturday night’s Swan Hill Cup).”
Lennytheshark will open the campaign towards his Perth Inter Dominion title defence in the Group 3 Kevin Newman Cup (1609m) at Menangle on Saturday night.
He will dominate betting despite being the lone back row runner (gate 11) a field lacking any real star factor.
His major rivals will be the likes of Blazin N Cullen (gate four), Freyberg (nine) and Iam Mr Brightside (10).
“It’s a perfect starting point for him,” Aiken said. “I was really pleased with his trial (second to Hectorjayjay at Shepparton last Thursday) and he’s worked really well since.
“He’s a horse who thrives on having his runs close together so he’ll race this week and then back-up the week after at Menangle again in another free-for-all.
“Then it’s back down to Melbourne for the Smoken Up and then he heads to Perth.”
Hectorjayjay returns from a freshen-up in the Swan Hill Cup which is set to see champion driver Gavin Lang have to make a big driving decision.
For months people have been speculating whether Lang will stick with Hectorjayjay or switch to one of Emma Stewart and Claytin Tonkin’s stars, most probably Yankee Rockstar.
“It looks like Gav will have to decide this week,” Aiken said. “It’s up to him. Of course I’d love him to stay wih Hectorjayjay because I think they are made for each other, but I’ll totally understand if he doesn’t.”
Aiken’s son, Josh, is on stand-by to drive Hectorjayjay, not just at Swan Hill but in the Perth Inter Dominion as well.
“We’ve known this day would come and have to have a back-up plan. Josh will take the drive if Gavin doesn’t. They (Hectorjayjay’s connections) are happy with that and have been for quite some time.”
Aiken is in the amazing position of having the Aussie TAB’s $6 Inter Dominion favourite Lennytheshark and Hectorjayjay, who shares the second line of betting at $6.50 with Have Faith In Me.
Adam Hamilton