By Jonny Turner
What should happen at Winton on Saturday is no guarantee.
That’s hardly news for any harness racing tragic or casual follower ahead of Captainshavtime approaching her second career start.
The two-year-old impressed in her debut on the same track earlier this month when running third in Group 2 company behind the highly talented Captains Mistress.
That looks incredible form to bring to a maiden assignment and while trainer Brett Gray is hopeful his filly can run up to her form, he isn’t thinking Captainshavtime is a past the post proposition.
“She is a lovely filly and it was a nice run first up,” Gray said.
“She probably just lacked having the racing the two that beat her home had, but she went nice.”
“It is a different ball game racing the older horses, it’s not easy for a two-year-old filly.”
“But her work this week has been good and she has a good draw (3) to work with.”
Gray rates another ‘havtime’ horse as one of the stronger hopes among the big team he starts at Saturday’s Wairio meeting.
Wehavtime meets an even line up of maidens after taking on stronger fields in the past.
“He’s a good chance, I think he is one of our better chances on Saturday,” Gray said.
Joes Rock will have her finale for the Gray stable in race 8 at Winton ahead of her upcoming move to the North Island.
The four-year-old moves into grade racing after racing in mares events throughout summer and autumn.
“She has been a great mare for us,” Gray said.
“Her last start was a little bit disappointing but the three horses that went forward early all finished in behind them in that race.”
“It is drop back for her, but in saying that there are still some handy horses in it.”
Gray stablemates Hayley Jaccka and Stillyourshot clash in race 9 on Saturday and both are rated eachway chances.
“Stillyourshot looks a good eachway chance, he just needs a bit of luck from one on the second row.”
“Hayley Jaccka has a tough draw (8) but she has a bit of upside to her, she should be running on pretty well.”
Two ‘Jaccka’ horses also step out for the Gray team at Winton on Saturday.
“Connie Jaccka has the ability to go a handy race, it is just a matter of which Connie Jaccka turns up on the day.”
“Jaccka Bayliss has been improving and if he keeps doing that he won’t far away.”
