TWO proven Tasmanian open class performers are set to compete at interstate meetings this weekend. Aapennon will race at Melton (Melbourne) on Friday night and Our Sir Jeckyl will have his first start at Menangle Park (Sydney) on Saturday night.
Aapennon is a late bloomer. He only had six starts prior to his first win as a five year old (October 2010) and 17 months later he heads to Melton for his interstate debut with a career record of 11 wins and 15 minor placings from 41 starts.
His recent free-for-all form is impressive. At Launceston on 6 May, the gelding death seated and fought on like a caged lion when third to Our Chain Of Command in a track record 1:55.5 in the $10,000 Golden Mile.
He followed up a fortnight later (20 May) with a barnstorming finish at Hobart when third to the all conquering Beautide in a slippery 56.6 closing half.
Aapennon is in the first race on Friday night and has drawn barrier six on the front line. The event is a $15,000 heat of the Tabcorp Park Melton Vicbred Championship with the $25,000 final to be run on 8 June.
The six-year-old is the tightest assessed horse in the race being a C11 pacer. His main dangers appear to be the four-year-olds Aussie Made Lombo and Melpark Maestro.
Our Sir Jeckyl has been Tasmania’s best open class performer over the last three seasons. The seven-year-old gelding has amassed $253,762 from 32 wins and 29 placings over 83 starts.
Included in the tally is $28,450 from nine Victorian starts over three brief campaigns with the best result an MO win at Melton in November 2010.
Like Aapennon, Our Sir Jeckyl’s recent form is first class. He won at his only two outings in March followed by a second in an Easter Cup heat and seventh in the final when handicapped off 20 meters.
At his most recent Tasmanian run on 22 April at Hobart he finished a game second in the $10,000 Brighton Cup.
Our Sir Jeckyl was second last at the 400m and pulled five wide half way round the home corner in an endeavor to round up the other ten starters.
He flashed home to finish second to the in form mare Queen Of Fire.
Our Sir Jeckyl has drawn the pole in the $24,000 M2/M3 (Race 6) at Menangle Park on Saturday night.
The 2300 meters should be right up his alley but he is sure to encounter plenty of opposition from seasoned Menangle Park performers including Erle Dale, The Phantom, Passion Stride, Lettucerocku, Numberone Amenophis and The Big Mach.
Brezhnev Leis is another Tasmanian having his first Menangle Park start on Saturday night. Tasmanians are well aware of his ability but his tendency to break in races has been a constant challenge for trainer Barrie Rattray.
Brezhnev Leis has been with Dennis Wilson in New South Wales for six weeks and has completed two impressive trials at Menangle Park indicating the spacious circuit may be just what he needs. He is engaged in race seven and has drawn barrier seven.
Story by Kevin Neilson