David Aiken takes Len Smith quinella

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HECTORJAYJAY UPSETS STABLEMATE LENNYTHESHARK IN MILE

Master trainer David Aiken pulled off the ultimate big-race success when he trained the quinella in Sunday’s $A100,000 TABCORP.COM.AU Len Smith Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle (June 26, 2016).

The only problem was it wasn’t quite the way punters expected it to go.

Aiken’s up and comer Hectorjayjay ($10.10), finished like a train to swamp odds-on favourite Lennytheshark ($1.40 favourite) by 1.2m, with Ohoka Punter ($7) a fighting third 7.1m further way.

Hectorjayjay and Gavin Lang outfinish favoured stablemate Lennytheshark in the $A100,000 Len Smith Mile at Menangle. (Photo courtesy of NSWHRC).

Hectorjayjay (5g Dream Away) and Gavin Lang outfinish favoured stablemate Lennytheshark in the $A100,000 Len Smith Mile at Menangle. (Photo courtesy of NSWHRC).

The winner rated a slashing 1:50.5, confirming the huge wraps that Aiken had placed on the five-year-old gelding, who is now bound for Queensland and further feature starts.

Victoria’s two leading reinsmen Gavin Lang (Hectorjayjay) and Chris Alford (Lennytheshark) cleared away to fight out the finish although the wicked grin on Lang’s face in the last 100m clearly indicated he knew he had the race in his keeping.

Close behind the placegetters were outsiders Blazin N Cullen and Alta Jerome, just ahead of the mighty mare Frith, who endured a torrid run and couldn’t match the Grand Circuit stars in the straight.

“Gavin really likes this horse,” said Aiken.

“He doesn’t say a lot but I just really got the feeling he’s been impressed with his turn of foot.”

Lang explained that draws were important and 14 was not ideal against a quality field like that.

“As I always say before the race, it’s only a number, we usually have a post mortem after and decide if they’re good bad or otherwise . . .. and it turned out perfectly,” said Lang.

“That’s one thing about drawing 14, you need those type of quick sectionals early to bring you into the race and that’s how it turned out.

“That early burn gives you a chance. Over a mile if they go slowly early then you are left to do your share of work to get into the race and chasing quality horses, well, you just won’t catch them.”

Lang said Hectorjayjay always travelled well and his only concern pre-race was that he had been scratched from his last run because he had a minor problem.

“But a solidly run race (like today’s) can be their downfall and to the stable’s credit they did a great job and had him in excellent condition,” he said.

“He’s a good horse and that’s one of the qualities that good horses have – under pressure they really dig in.”

“I’m sure these two horses will have some epic battles in the future.”

ROCKMEMAMA UPSETS IN NSW 3YOf BREEDERS CHALLENGE

Fans called for a dead-heat but the judge gave Rockmemama the nod by the barest margin in Sunday’s three-year-old fillies final of the Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge.

Just when Eye See Diamonds (Nathan Jack) looked set to win, Rockmemama dived at her and scored a last-stride win, rating 1:52.4 with even-money favourite Heavens Trend a plucky third after racing without cover for most of the journey.

Rockmemama (3f Rock N Roll Heaven) unwinds wide to take out the $A153,000 Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge for 3YO Fillies at Menangle. (Photo courtesy of NSWHRC).

Rockmemama (3f Rock N Roll Heaven) unwinds wide to take out the $A153,000 Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge for 3YO Fillies at Menangle. (Photo courtesy of NSWHRC).

In a day of upsets, it was a popular win for Newcastle reinsman Mark Callaghan as there was a sprinkling of money for the daughter of Rocknroll Heaven as she started at $7.90.

It was the stringbean Callaghan’s first Group One success.
Likewise for trainer Darryl Thomas, who is based at Sawyers Gully.

“Yes that was quite a thrill,” said Callaghan.

“Darryl seems to be able to get this horse to peak at just the right time.

“That’s what he did for Bathurst and she won with authority and this was her fourth run in again today and she’s peaked again and she’s won again.

“I thought we’d either be behind the leader or three back on the fence and I wasn’t too concerned either way . . . as long as we were tracking the good horses – and we were, I knew I’d be right there.

“So it all worked out well.

“They ran a quick last half so she did a good job to get over the top of them.”

Callaghan has three young boys who help out around the stables.

All three were on hand to cheer and there were even a few tears on the pedestal as they savoured their father’s biggest win.

Courtesy of Amanda Zammitt,
Social Media & Trotguide Co-ordinator, NSWHRC.

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