Haley Jaccka wins Tuapeka Cup

Haley Jaccka (Always B Miki) added to her winning tally today. Aided by an excellent drive from Matty Williamson she easily won the $15,000 Tuapeka Lodge Cup at Ascot Park.

Trained at Ryal Bush by Brett Gray, Haley Jaccka made a flier from the thirty metre handicap.

“She was so well today and I was rapt to see her begin so well,” Gray said.

After 300 metres and with just over two laps to run Williamson took Haley Jaccka to the front. Then with just over a lap to run stablemate Foxing Easton and Brent Barclay zipped around to take the lead. Williamson waited for the passing lane and shot Haley Jaccka up the inside to beat Foxing Easton by a length and three quarters with a head back to the unlucky Secret Agent Man who was late getting clear.

HALEY JACCKA REPLAY

The win was the five year old mare’s eleventh.

“She’s such a cool horse for Charlie and Alisa. She’ll now go in the Cup Day Junior FFA.”

Beyond Cup Day, Gray says Haley Jaccka will head to the Country Cups series.

“She loves distance. 2600 or 2700 metres is her go. Although she won the Speed Belle, distance is her forte. As long as we don’t get too big a handicap. We’re getting right up there. We’ll just have to pick and choose. She’ll have a bit of a break over Christmas and then we’ll do the mares races in February.”

The win was one of two for Gray. He won earlier in the day with Max Verstap (Captain Crunch) who was bred and is part-owned by Roxburgh breeder Bill Bain.

It was a great day for Bain. He’s a part of the Central Courage Syndicate which owns Heat Wave, who won Race Two for trainer driver Matty Williamson.

And if that wasn’t enough, Bill bred Wattlebank Will who won for Mark Jones at the Waimate meeting today.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink