Hayden’s Maidens Do Him Proud
All six of Reeves’ runners heading to the line. Photo Credit- Photography by Jodie Hallows
With Hayden Reeves’ stable represented by six of the seven horses in the maiden event at Bunbury on Wednesday, he was undoubtedly proud when his runners finished in the top six.
“I was actually a little disappointed that anyone else nominated for the race, it’s a bit of a goal of mine to have a whole field.” He joked.
It was Just Like A Star who came out in top in the last when he made full use of the sprint lane to come from behind for driver Mitchell Miller. After beginning from barrier seven, he was restrained from the mobile and settled at the rear of the field, but after the rails run appeared at the 400m mark, Miller took all the possible shortcuts to go on to win by 2.1m in 2:01:6.
The five-year-old Double Westbred gelding by Follow The Stars was having his 11th start in a race, and with just the one placing next to his name, Reeves’ push in his pre-race twitter interview for The Trots WA may have contributed to his $4 starting odds.
“Special Jack was probably the standout in ability on the day, but circumstances probably got him beaten. Had I lost the race, I would have been more than happy to lose to a bloke like Russell Lees who has such a passion for the game,”
“In this particular case, it worked out well for us, but its no secret that it usually doesn’t end up as well when we’ve got these sort of numbers in a race.”
Race 7 – The maiden event. Video: harness.org.au
The win gave Reeves a training double on the card, with Camluck King storming home in race five to win at $51 for reinswoman Emily Johnson. With the stable represented with another six runners, Reeves wasn’t expecting the win, but with his push for that runner on the twitter pre-race interviews, Reeves was on the money with his tips on Wednesday.
With a three day back up from his last start fourth in the Bridgetown Cup, Reeves thought Camluck King was one of his better chances in the 2503m standing start. Claiming the win by 4.2m, the six-year-old started off the 40m handicap, winning in a mile rate of 2:01:8.
“I have a particular soft spot for Tubbs Farquhar and How Gouda She as we own them and they’ve done a good job for me, but Camluck King has natural ability on his side, and he’s hit a purple patch of form lately,”
“He’s had a couple of niggling issues that we’ve been dealing with, so I’m hoping he can continue his current form.”
With the favourite Mufasa NZ copping interference at the start, How Gouda She was unflappable again from the 20m handicap, and with a good piece of driving from Trent Wheeler to secure the lead early, she was able to dictate terms throughout, holding on for fifth in the finish. Reeves took home second placing with his runner El Jessie, as well as fourth with Tubbs Farquhar.
Hayden Reeves made his way down to Bunbury with 15 horses in tow, finishing the day with two winners and nine top five finishes as well as Reeve’s father Colin finishing second in race three with his runner Gold Horseshoe, proving to be quite the fruitful day for the Reeves family.