by Jonny Turner
Southland’s biggest day of winter harness racing so far is looking Gray.
Brett Gray lines up a powerful 12-horse team at Winton’s Winter Rewards Finals Day on Thursday.
Beating her stablemates may prove to be the biggest challenge for Gray’s stable spearhead Haley Jaccka in the tightest assessed of three Winter Rewards Finals for pacers.
The mare returned from a freshener with a bang, powering along the inner to win a hectic affair at Ascot Park ten days ago.
And according to her trainer, she’s thrived since.
“That wee break we gave her was just what she needed,” Gray said.
“She’d had a lot of racing through the autumn and gone very well in good company.”
“She really seems like she’s on the top of her game since coming back.”
“Her work this week has been first class.”
The preferential draw conditions of Thursday’s finals have put Haley Jaccka on the outside of the front line in barrier 8.
After showing blazing gate speed in her last start, driver Brent Barclay clearly has options.
“She has got plenty of gate speed, but she is pretty good with a sit too,” Gray said.
“Brent will be able to choose what he wants to do.”
Always Ticking, Foxing Easton, and Stillyourshot take on their stablemate Haley Jaccka.
Always Ticking has been brilliantly consistent through the winter and looks an each-way chance.
Foxing Easton and Stillyourshot both look legitimate hopes if they can front with their best efforts.
Gray starts three horses in the mid-tier event among Thursday’s Winter Rewards Finals for pacers.
Sodoyahavtime, Janaka’s Delight, and Jaccka Evan look evenly matched going into the event.
“Janaka’s Delight has been racing great without a lot of luck, hopefully she might get some from her good draw (2).”
“Jaccka Evan got too keen last start, but we’re hoping he might be able to settle better on the second row.”
“Sodoyahavtime has been working really well too, so they are all handy enough chances.”
Gray starts two key chances in the two-mile races for pacers who aren’t eligible for Thursday’s Winter Rewards Finals.
Jaccka Henry is another who faces barrier 8, but looks capable of overcoming it.
“His last start was a little bit disappointing, but we have gone back to the drawing board and we were quite happy with his trial last week.”
“I think he’s a good chance.”
Jaccka Henry needs to beat out his stablemates Equine Assett and Rambin Rover to score at Winton.
In the tighter-assessed of the two-mile races, Ultimate Cullect will be aiming to cap off a consistent run of form.
“She’s been going great, just getting too far back.”
“She won over the mile in a similar race last year, she just needs a wee bit of luck to be a pretty good chance.”
Ultimate Cullect clashes with another Gray runner in Foxfire Easton at Winton on Thursday.
