Gray emotional after Haley Jaccka’s win

Bruce Stewart Journalist

In a rare sign of emotion, Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray was quite moved after Hayley Jaccka (Always B Miki) won the $40,000 Vetsouth Equine/SSBA Southern Belle Speed Series Final at Winton yesterday.

“I was quite proud of this win. Charlie and Ailsa (Smaill - owners) have been so good to us. It’s just awesome. That was pretty cool,” he said after the win.

In yesterday’s mares feature, Ebony Arden and Tosana had designs on the lead and they clapped on the pace early with Hayley Jaccka dropping out to the rear. At the 700 driver Matty Williamson decided to save ground and came up the inside with Hayley Jaccka, to sit behind the trailing horse Elecktra King. As the field opened up turning into the straight, Williamson angled Hayley Jaccka out to centre track and she let down with a good staying run to beat Chicago Sky by three quarters of a length.

“I wasn’t happy with the draw but it worked out great. They went to war and it couldn’t have worked out any better.”

The winning time of 1-52.9 was a new race record lowering Seaside Rose’s 1-53.1 recorded last year.

A start or two at Addington could now be on the cards.

“She goes good at Addington and always goes good in fast run races.”

Hayley Jaccka’s win highlighted a good day for her sire Always B Miki with his progeny winning four races. The other winners were Forever Arden, Marble Arch and Always B Royal.