By Jonny Turner
Brett Gray admits he doesn’t know quite what to expect from his ex-Aussie debutante Allaboutthemoment at Young Quinn Raceway on Thursday.
The four-year-old will have her first run in New Zealand after winning five of her 33 starts in New South Wales for owners Malcolm and Sarndra Little.
The mare originally touched down in Auckland and was to race from Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan’s stable but the shut down of racing up north has seen her join Gray’s stable.
“I really don’t know too much about her yet, I have only had her for about a week and a half,” the trainer said.
“We will know a lot more after she races, she is not a big thing and if it is going to be wet she might find it a little bit harder.”
“I think she will be better when she has a wee bit more time down here.”
“She had a trial in Auckland midway through last month and she didn’t go too bad.”
“But with Auckland shutting down she came down here.”
Gray also lines up last start winner Jannah Jaccka in race 6, Thursday’s feature trot.
Against her, the mare jumps up in class after dealing to a graduation final field in her last start.
But on the plus side, with rain around in Southland, she should relish Thursday’s likely wet track conditions.
“I think Jannah Jaccka might be the better chance of my two at this stage.”
“It is a bit of a jump up for her but if it’s wet it should really suit her.”
“If you go back through her runs she has gone some massive races in the wet.”
“But also for only a two-win mare, she isn’t very well off in the handicaps in that field.”
Gray also has a major hand in another trot – race 1.
In The Groove went down narrowly to Jannah Jaccka at Ascot Park last week which looks outstanding form for a maiden trot.
He lines up alongside Jaccka Watch, who debuts after producing some strong trial performances.
“In The Groove starts from 1 on the second row but he is following out Tease My Tartan who is probably one of the fastest beginners in that race.”
“He should go another great race.”
Though Jaccka Watch has plenty to learn a win would come as no surprise to Gray
“He is a work in progress, he is a little bit grit-shy so if he found the front it would be ideal.”
“He is very good in front.”
“Nothing would surprise me with that horse, he is a bit green yet but nothing at all would surprise me with him.”
Gray also starts Saviour Telf in race 2 who like In The Groove took on race winners in his last start.
“I chucked him in the Nugget final last week and he went good.”
“He seems to work alright in the wet, so he could be a good chance.”
Gray also lines up Bettor’s Highlight in race 4 and Alexis Rocket in race 8.
“Bettor’s Highlight is pretty honest but she doesn’t tend to go quite so good in the wet.”
“I was disappointed with Alexis Rocket last week but I have freshened him up, he was racing good before that last start.