A ray of light at Alexandra Park

New Zealand harness racing fans have been lucky enough to see the emergence of Kyvalley Ray (Bold Eagle) both through his two year old season and now three year old year.

As a two year old the Brent Lilley trained gelding won the NZB Standardbred Harness Million and the NZ Sires’ Stakes Two Year Old Trotting Championship and tonight at Alexandra Park he completed the three year old version of both races – the double double.

“His CV looks pretty impressive. He’s getting better and better. He was very tractable tonight and again he did it very nicely,” said driver Blair Orange.

Orange eased Kyvalley Ray out of the gate and when Kairo broke, he took the favourite to the front.

“There was a bit of pressure early when they left the gate but he never got carried away which was great. He really relaxed well. When he found the front he flopped along, unlike last week. He’s learning all the time.”

Turning in, Orange was seen to nurse Kyvalley Ray into the last bend.

“I was just wanting to make sure he got around that last bend before we pushed the go button. He felt pretty sharp at the furlong and then went to knock off a wee bit. I just half tried to get the hood off him. It didn’t come, but he knuckled down again.”

KYVALLEY RAY REPLAY

At the line Kyvalley Ray had a four length winning margin over Our Col with Petite Armour a length back in third.

“The pleasing bit for me was down the back straight, pulling up. When Jonny (Dunn) came up alongside me he really grabbed his hook again and was keen to get going. It’s looking good for the Derby next week.”

Bought for $100,000 at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales by Jim Connelly and Stephen Maxwell, Kyvalley Ray was entrusted to Brent Lilley. The  gelding has done most of his racing in New Zealand.

Lilley has been in Melbourne supervising his home team and Kyvalley Ray has been in the care of Hayden and Amanda Cullen.

“Hayden messaged me on Wednesday and said he was rapt with his work and seemed a bit sharper than last week. That was enough for me to hop on the plane and come over. Hayden and Amanda have done a fabulous job. He’s been over here a while now. He’s flying back home to Australia after the Derby,” Lilley said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink