Julie Jaccka vying for hat-trick at Winton

By Jonny Turner

Julie Jaccka can book her ticket to the big stage if she can continue her brilliant form at Winton on Thursday.

The Brett Gray-trained trotter and junior driver Dan Anderson will be out to complete a hat-trick of wins after winning their last two starts together at Central Southland Raceway.

Julie Jaccka went back-to-back at Winton before going on to run a solid fourth on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park last month.

The Gray stable now has Addington in its sights if their consistent trotter can produce another strong effort in Race 6, the Goodman Plumbing Ltd Handicap Trot (3.11pm).

“We are hoping she go another good race and then head up to the Heather Williams Memorial at Addington,” Anderson said. 

“She’s been going great, so she deserves a go at a nice race at Addington and she’s done pretty well up there before.”

Julie Jaccka faces a 30m handicap in the feature trot at Winton, which looks like a workable mark for a horse of her quality.

“If she was able to get away like she can and be handy enough I would be pretty confident,” Anderson said. 

“But you have to respect the others. There are some hardened old horses in there.”

“We have to give Andy Hall 10m, and Bring On The Muscle went a great race on Diamonds Day.”

“He is 10m behind us, but if he is on our back, he is going to be tough.”

The Gray stable also starts High Return and Foxing Easton at Winton on Thursday.

Two-year-old High Return has trialled solidly ahead of his debut against older horses.

Foxing Easton disappointed fresh up at the same track, but he looks set for a stronger effort after winning two recent trials.

Brent Barclay takes the reins behind the pair.

Anderson will also link up with the Hamish Hunter-trained Montage at Winton.

The pair ran a solid third at Ascot Park two starts ago before their sixth at Winton last week.

“I think he’s a good chance in any rating 35 race. He didn’t get all the luck last start, but his run before that was pretty good.”

“He can do a bit of work and will keep sticking on.”

The Hunter stable also starts Better Be Watching and Diamondsonmyshoes at Winton on Thursday.