Gray banking on Jaccka pair in Ascot Park feature

by Jonny Turner

Brett Gray hopes he can produce a Jaccka to win the feature trot at Ascot Park on Thursday.

But which one is the question.

Jaccka Jim and Jaccka Ace give Gray a big hand in the event with both bringing strong recent form to the 2700m handicap.

Bookmakers opened Jaccka Ace as the favourite for the race, ahead of his relation and stablemate Jaccka Jim.

But Gray doesn't necessarily agree.

"I am really happy with Jaccka Jim and he gets a head start on the other fella."

"It was great to see him back winning last week."

"He's been on the comeback trail since he bled earlier this year."

"Now that he has had a few starts back he seems to be hitting his straps."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he went another good race, it might be hard for (Jaccka) Ace to catch him with a 10m head start."

Jaccka Ace has been a consistent performer through the recent Winter Rewards and Southern Surge series in the south.

Thursday's race is a step back in grade from what he has been taking on recently.

"He has been going good right through, he hasn't had a lot of luck at times."

"Ascot Park isn't his favourite track but he's getting better there, his last start there he ran a pretty good second."

"It is a bit of a drop back for him and he should be a good chance too."

Gray heads to Invercargill hoping his success last week was no fluke.

The trainer produced a winning treble at Winton to kick off the spring in style.

After a quieter July and August, Gray will be out to keep his momentum going with runners at Invercargill, Addington and Oamaru this week.

Among his Invercargill contingent is another Jaccka in Jaccka Henry.

"Henry didn't have all the luck last start at Winton but he ran a good race."

"He's come back pretty well this time in and if he's on the markers and gets a bit of luck he would have to be a top 3 or top 4 chance."

Drummershavtime will be out to improve his form after battling in very testing conditions at Gore in his last outing.

"He was fresh up at Gore after a bit of a let up so you would have to forgive him for that run."

"It's an even field and he's got a draw (1) to work with, he's not the worst."

Gray starts Haley Jaccka at Addington on Friday night, Havtimewillfly and Miki's Deal head to Oamaru on Sunday.