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Burrumbeet trainer/driver Michael Stanley has already claimed Group 1 success with Yejele Hammer, but is eyeing more elite level glory with his stable star in the coming weeks.
The Vicbred Super Series two-year-old colts and geldings champion from July is being aimed towards the Victoria Derby, with heats to be run on Ballarat Pacing Cup night on January 18.
Stanley was at the controls for the horse’s fresh run this preparation at Shepparton, where he cruised home for an easy victory.
And after a few weeks away from the races, he will be back in action at Tabcorp Park Melton this Saturday night.
“He won really nice first-up at Shepparton nearly three or four weeks ago and he is first-up since then,” Stanley said.
“We have had no luck getting races for him – the three-year-old races have been a bit light and keep falling away – but he had really good trial last week to keep his fitness up to scratch.
“It’s only a small field (on Saturday) but it’s a handy field and it will be another step towards getting his fitness right for the Derby heats back here at Ballarat in the new year.”
Stanley said the son of Somebeachsomewhere had exceeded early expectations of the stable.
“He’s probably a horse we didn’t think was as good as he was early on, but every time he stepped out he improved each time,” he said.
“He’s more of a dour type than fast and that’s probably why he got past us in his track work.
“I’m sure when we get to those feature races he will step up and be really competitive.”
Yejele Hammer, who has won only two of his seven career runs but has more than $130,000 in prizemoney, has drawn barrier two in Saturday night’s Alabar 3YO Pace (2240m).
Stanley will take the drive and will face some stiff opposition from the likes of Damien Burns’ Youaremy Sunshine and Charlie Mizzi-trained Wotdidusaaay.
Victoria Oaks heats have been added to the Ballarat Pacing Cup program on Saturday, January 18.
The three-year-old fillies’ preliminaries will complement the Derby heats, which already featured on the card.
This is the first time Harness Racing Victoria has included the Oaks as part of the Summer of Glory, which begins in Ballarat.
The Oaks and Derby finals will be held at Melton on Saturday, January 25.
This Saturday night will see the Stanley stable also represented by A Fair Ol Dance in the Dynamic Print Group Pace (2240m, NR 80-94) and American Zest in the VHRC Metropolitan Pace (second heat, 2240m, NR 70-79).
Stanley will also drive those two horses.
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