Gray set for two days

As well as having a strong presence at the Tuapeka HRC meeting at Invercargill on Sunday, Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray will have two runners at Ashburton on Monday.

In Race One on Sunday, Gray lines up the well-bred debutant Jaccka Ace (Father Patrick).

He qualified by twenty three lengths at Winton two weeks ago and has been back to the workouts since. He’s the first foal out of nine win mare Jen Jaccka.

“He’s inexperienced but has had two trials this time in and gone good in both of them. He ran second to Bring On The Muscle last week. He’s definitely capable of winning it, it’s whether he handles the race day pressure,” Gray said.

Gray has two starters in Race Three and like Jaccka Ace, both are having their first start.

Blaze Lightening (Sweet Lou) has been off the property four times and has won his trial or workout on three of those occasions. He draws barrier one on Sunday.

“We’ve got a bit of time for this fella. He goes pretty nice and will take a bit of beating.”

Vice Chairwoman (Washington VC) has just recently joined the Gray stable after doing her early education with owner Keith Norman.

“I was happy with her at the workouts the other day.”

Proposition Joe (Always B Miki) was very good on debut but comes up with a wide draw in Race Seven.

“He’s drawn the outside and it’s going to be hard giving Nathan’s one (Indulge Me) that sort of advantage. He seems pretty well but it’s a tougher field this week.”

Foxing Easton (Washington VC) has been in excellent form this preparation, recording four minor placings in his last five starts. In Race Eight he draws the inside of the second row.

“They went quite quick; he did a lot of work last week and was held up in the run home. He’s racing really well and he’s a chance with the right trip.”

When Hayley Jaccka (Always B Miki) lines up in the $20,000 Tuapeka Cup she’ll be having her first standing start.

“Hopefully she can step and go a nice race. She’s a nice horse on her day but she might need this run.”

At Ashburton on Labour Day, Gray has two runners in the fourth heat of the Dunstan Two Year Old Fillies Sires’ Stakes Series at Ashburton – Miki’s Deal (Always B Miki) and Havtimewillfly (Art Major).

Miki’s Deal draws wide at six.

“It’s a nice wee bunch and it’ll be down to who gets the run. I’m really happy with her work at the moment. Hopefully we’ll get out alright and make use of the draw.”

Havtimewillfly will start from the second row.

“It’s a bit of a tricky draw for her and she’s going to need a little bit of luck.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink