Jaccka Elvis clears maidens for Smaills

Jaccka Elvis (Captain Crunch) rekindled harness racing memories when he narrowly won the Mossdale Mobile Pace at Gore today.

From barrier three, driver Brent Barclay took Jaccka Elvis straight to the top. With 900 metres to run the gelding was pressurised by Rakamick and turning in, it was these two that set down to fight out the finish.

After a good tussle it was Jaccka Elvis took the race out with a half a head advantage over Rakamick and Nana’s Little Terror finishing three and a half lengths back in third.

JACCKA ELVIS REPLAY

Raced by Charlie and Alisa Smaill, Jaccka Elvis is the second foal out of Elva Jaccka, which Gray also trained to win five races.

“She was quite a rough going old thing who loved racing at Forbury Park.”

As with all of the Smaill’s horses, Jaccka Elvis was broken in by Edendale horseman Alex Milne.

“He was a bit of a hard case and took a bit to get going. This branch of the family can be a little bit spooky, but he’s actually calmed down. In his two starts Brent said he’s been nothing but a gentleman and been on the lazy side. He feels like he’s got a bit of stickability and staying may be his forte.”

Today’s race was sponsored by Archie Affleck under the ‘Mossdale’ brand.

Smaill and Affleck raced Keyali in the late 80s and early 90s. She won seven races for the partnership and once she finished racing they took turns in breeding foals from her. Smaill chose the ‘Jaccka’ name while Affleck called his horses ‘Mossdale’.

The Smaills generally name their horses after their children and grandchildren. But that approach appears to have dried up and Charlie’s reverted to his record collection as a source of inspiration.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink