It takes a lot to get Michael Clayton carried away when it comes to racing but he admits his exciting charge Are Jai Que has put a new spring in his step.
The chaser, one of the state’s most in-form greyhounds, goes from box one in Monday’s fourth and final Ladbrokes Bathurst Gold Cup (520m) and looks ideally drawn to triumph.
Since debuting competitively last July, Are Jai Que has made a huge impact, winning a phenomenal 15 of her first 20 starts.
Trainer Clayton is refusing to count his chickens but believes his chaser is a good winning chance here.
“I’ve been training too long to be carrying on and get getting excited,” he said with a smile.
“It just means they cannot cross her (and lead) unless they go faster than her, which they probably won’t do.
“Having a greyhound like her makes it so much easier. You get up in the morning feeling tired and then you see her in the kennels and you feel wide awake.
“I just hope it can continue.”
This will be Are Jai Que’s first competitive visit to Bathurst, which can be a tricky track for out-of-towners to handle.
Zipping Oscar (box eight) and local All Too Fancy, who jumps from box two, are quality chasers who pose a threat here.
Are Jai Que trialled well at the track last week, though, and with five consecutive victories leading into the series Clayton’s greyhound looks hard to stop.
Clayton, who works out of the NSW Southern Highlands village of Sutton Forest, is aiming Are Jai Que for a potential crack at next month’s Group 1 Golden Easter Egg.
The $250,000-to-the-winner race is one of the most prestigious titles of the year in Australian greyhound racing – and Are Jai Que may be a decent contender.
“She’s not the fastest in the world but she’s certainly one of the best race greyhounds you’ll see,” Clayton said.
“Whichever box she starts from, she is always capable of running a strong race.
“This is tough race (at Bathurst) but I’m reasonably confident.”
Four high-quality fields have been assembled for the $14,000-to-the-winner series.
Ron Seymour has enjoyed notable results recently and his charge Zipping Abby should be a good bet in the first heat (race five).
Another of Seymour’s charges, Tricky Summah, looks a strong contender in the third heat.
The Gold Cup final takes place next Monday and is the biggest race of the year at Bathurst.
For Bathurst Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
