Karnup co-trainer Ben Pearce is optimistic his talented gelding Triple Jay can cause a Boxing Day boilover by upsetting his more fancied rivals in a 1300m “Dash” at Pinjarra on Friday.
On a day where crowds are expected to flock to both Pinjarra Park and the Albany Racing Club for its annual Boxing Day meeting, Pearce said he and his co-trainer brother Dan had Triple Jay, a hulking 600kg gelding, back to somewhere near his best after a difficult previous campaign.
“He’s had his fair share of issues along the way, but he’s going well and we think we’ve got him right now,” Ben Pearce said.
“He’s always shown plenty of ability and when we had him right last year, he won four straight. So, there’s no questioning his ability and if he’s anywhere near his best, he can run right up there with them.”
Angel Undercover remains a hot $2.05 favourite with TABtouch for the Boxing Day Dash, while Triple Jay – the highest rated galloper in the race – is at the juicy odds of $7.
Triple Jay will be aiming for his second win at the Pinjarra track where he recorded his first career victory in May 2023.
Pinjarra Park Chief Executive Officer Michael Lodding said the meeting would offer a relaxed atmosphere for families after their Christmas Day celebrations. He said the on-course offerings would include live music throughout the day, free kids entertainment, free parking and a food truck precinct.
Albany Racing General Manager Paul Rossiter said he was expecting a bumper crowd of at least 2500 punters for the annual Boxing Day event in the Great Southern city.
“It’s going to be a nice family-friendly day with fun, free activities for the kids and seven action-packed races,” Rossiter said.
“It’s a great place where people can come out and continue their Christmas celebrations.”
After the final race, punters will be able to wind down with Albany rock ‘n’ roll cover band No Hat No Play.
Esperance Bay Turf Club President Ken Norton said the prompt decision to pivot from the annual Boxing Day meeting to hold it a day later this Saturday, due to expected high temperatures, had given important certainty to industry participants and punters. Northon said he was expecting a good crowd following the club’s successful start to the new season.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting temperature of up to 37 degrees for Friday, but predicts it will drop to 22 degrees on Saturday.
“We’re ready for it and it’s all systems go,” Norton said. “It will be a full-on day – it looks like there will be some really good racing and with the temperature dropping off, I think we will get a lot of families there.”
There will also be a nine-race card at Geraldton on Saturday, highlighted by the running of the mount Augustus Tourist Park Walkaway Cup (2100m) and the Don Hammarquist Memorial Maiden (1200m), honouring one of the region’s late great champions of the local industry.
An eight-event meeting at Bunbury will then round out the weekend on Sunday in the lead-up to the Perth Cup at Ascot on New Years Day.
Steve Butler
https://racingwa.com.au/