Keayang Chucky takes Group 1 Hammerhead Mile

Australia’s most improved trotter Keayang Chucky (Love You) finally cracked a Group 1 harness racing success in the $100,000 Yabby Dam Farms Hammerhead Mile at Menangle Park last night by leading all the way.

The race was virtually won at the start when favourite Oscar Bonavena galloped as the field was released. Out from barrier 5 Keayang Chucky showed enough speed to take up the running. The Locomotive from his wide draw moved across but couldn’t cross over as Jason Lee on Keayang Chucky was determined to hold the lead at all costs.

KEAYANG CHUCKY MAR 8 REPLAY HAMMERHEAD TROTTERS MILE

The Locomotive couldn’t sustain his run and he was beaten on the final bend when Keayang Chucky booted clear. Both London To A Brick and Arcee Phoenix who were well back finished strongly to fill the minor placings.

Keayang Chucky was just short of the track record running 1.51.9 for the mile.

Driver Jason Lee commented after the race.

 “After the Great Southern Star(where he finished second) he deserved to get a big one. It’s good to get it. He’s a stable pet and everybody loves him at home.”

“With his Inter Dominion preparation at Menangle he got keen. Back in Victoria he learned to relax and we toughened him up. We’re a little bet better than when in the Inter Dominion. We made the right call.”

Co trainer Paddy Lee who trains the flashy chestnut with his mother Marg also added

“For sure over the last couple of years we have had some Group 1 success. This bloke deserved it. The Inter Dominion series really brought him on. He had the confidence to lead so great for all the family. We were ready to go and freshened him up.”

“Unbeaten stable mate Keayang Zahara still has got his measure but I don’t like to compare them.”

Certainly it was a well deserved win by Keayang Chucky who now must rank as a serious prospect for the Inter Dominion series in July.

It was pleasing to see London to A Brick run on for second. A former outstanding youngster London To A Brick has had plenty of issues and presented challenges for trainer James Rattray but on the basis of that performance he may be showing the form that could get him a future big race feature.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink