Brookies Jaffa notches gritty win

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Brookies Jaffa will head to Otaki on Monday in search of back-to-back grass track victories after taking out the Grant Plumbing Wellington Cup (2000m) at Tauherenikau on Saturday.

The Jason and Megan Teaz-trained gelding settled towards the rear of the field for driver Sailesh Abernethy, where he remained until being asked to improve three-wide turning for home.

The son of Auckland Reactor put in a few rough strides at the top of the straight, but he was able to regather himself and put in a brave effort to win by a head over Frankie Jones, with a further 1-3/4 lengths back to The Kapiti Express in third.

His trainers were delighted with the victory, particularly due to his tough run and disappointing last start performance at Cambridge Raceway on Christmas Eve when finishing sixth.

“I didn’t think he was going to make it, it was such a tough run,” Megan Teaz said. “He got pushed wide around the turn, but it was a real gritty run. He gives you 110 percent every start.

“We were a little bit concerned because his last start at Cambridge wasn’t too positive. We changed his training throughout the week, and we think it really sparked him up and got him back on the job.”

Grass track racing has become a rarity in the North Island, and Teaz said there should be more dual-code meetings such as Tauherenikau, and Otaki on Monday.

“I think these dual-code meetings are great,” she said. “I wish they did it more often, just so we get the chance to race on grass tracks.

“It’s a part of racing that is nearly lost and we are fortunate to be getting these two meetings off the ground.”

Brookies Jaffa will back-up in the Boundary/Deans & Associates Otaki Cup (2000m) on Monday and Teaz believes he is a good chance of repeating his weekend heroics.

“If he comes through this race well, I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t go another good race,” she said.

Teaz will also back-up Panspacificjet in The Anchorage Bed And Breakfast Waiterere Beach Mobile Pace (2000m) and Lavish Art in the Wallace Construction Mobile Pace (2000m) after their unplaced runs at Tauherenikau.

“Panspacificjet has drawn one and I think he will be a really good chance from there,” Teaz said. “He has won on the grass previously.

“Lavish Art has been quite disappointing. She is going to have to buck her ideas up a bit to carry on with after Monday.”

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