By Jonny Turner
Brett Gray’s form only needs to continue at Ascot Park on King’s Birthday.
The trainer has enjoyed an outstanding past month, with his results headed by the unbeaten Miki’s Deal and his smart trotting mare, Julie Jaccka.
It’s a brother-and-sister act that’s among the best of Gray’s Invercargill chances.
Little brother Jaccka Henry and big sister Haley Jaccka both look like serious winning threats.
Though Haley has proven form on the board, it is Henry who gets the nod as the Gray stable’s biggest chance.
“Neither have drawn ideally, but Haley is one on the second row, so she is going to need some luck,” Gray said.
“It could work out perfect for her, but it could turn pear-shaped.”
“Henry’s two on the second row, and he seems the type of horse that can do a bit of work.”
“So I would have to go with him.”
Jaccka Henry heads to Ascot Park in Ra e 4, the Hyde Landscaping Mobile Pace (1.06pm) after only just missing in his debut second at Winton.
“He is a bit of a surprise package — he started off slowly, but he has been getting better each time he’s been off the place.”
“His second was good, and that race seems to have done him the world of good.”
“He should be a good chance on Monday.”
Haley Jaccka has mixed it with better fields than she faces in Monday’s third heat of the Diamond Creek/SBSR Silk Road Series (4.19pm).
But whether she can show her best will depend on where she lands from her tricky draw.
“It will depend on how things pan out — if she got any luck, she would go pretty good,” Gray said.
“She’s so consistent, and she’s come on from her last run.”
Always Ticking starts alongside Haley Jaccka, and she looks far from the stable’s second stringer.
“She went a nice race last start, and she was fresh up, so she’s better for that run.
“Hopefully, there is a bit of speed on, because she loves that.”
The Gray stable starts a three-pronged attack in Race 9, the South Port NZ Ltd Bluff Cup (3.52pm) on Monday with Foxing Easton, Janaka’s Delight, and Stillyourshot.
“Foxing Easton is in a great space at the moment. It’s a step up in grade, but he should handle it pretty well.”
“Janaka’s Delight went a great race last start — she’s working well and could go another cheeky one.”
“Stillyourshot is coming in fresh, which suits him — he’s not the worst, either.”
Gray also starts Jaccka Evan in Race 7, the Mountfort Fishing Company Mobile Pace (2.40pm).
“He is working nicely enough to go another solid race — it might just depend how it pans out from that draw (8).”
Gray’s stable manager, Daniel Anderson, takes the reins behind Jaccka Evan.
