LONGFORD trainer Ian Hay has had a mixed season filled with success and disappointment but at UBET Park Hobart yesterday the loss of two stable stars earlier in the season were erased when one of his home-bred gallopers scored an impressive win in a 2YO Maiden over 1200 metres.
Nissky (Strategic-Lavnova) was having his first start and despite racing very greenly from go to whoa he still proved too good for his rivals to score comfortably from two other first starters Gee Gee Sun Valley and Jazzy’s Choice.
It was a solid pace set by Jazzy’s Choice but when rider Georgie Catania allowed her mount to cut back to the inside rail at the top of the home straight, as instructed by trainer John Blacker, the challengers headed for the outside rail.
That proved to be the telling factor and Nissky, despite throwing his head about and racing unattractively over the final 100 metres was still too god for the opposition.
Nicholas Hay was standing in for his father at the meeting and he said Nissky had shown above average ability on the training track and that a visit to Hobart for a trial last month had been a worthwhile exercise.
“He trialled well here in Hobart and he had done well since that trial so we were quietly confident he would run well,” Hay said.
“He has done the job well but still has a lot to learn.”
“We’ll take him home and see how he does in the next few days before deciding whether to go on or tip him out for a break,” he said.