Daley’s youngster on trajectory for feature success

By Josh Spasaro

Brisbane trainer Jemma Daley believes Hara’s Kitana can continue her progression with a competitive performance in the Eric Thomson Memorial Final at Albion Park on Thursday night.

The 22-month-old bitch has begun her track career in impressive fashion, with two wins from two starts, including a courageous winning time of 30.04 seconds in her heat, where she led for most of the race.

Hara’s Kitana saluted by almost a length, holding off Zipping Kramer, with Tom Tzouvelis’ 23-month-old dog to start from box six in the decider.

Daley’s bitch has also begun well in both victories.

The young conditioner believes she can only improve when coming out of the lids.

“We’ve always had a bit of an opinion of her. Obviously, her early speed is going to take her a long way,” the Park Ridge conditioner said.

“And, I think she can bring that down a little bit more. She was probably going a little bit better in her trials with her early splits.

“So, if she can bring that down just a little bit more, she’s always going to put herself in contention for these races.”

Jay Walking, for Jamie Hosking, was an impressive heat winner, producing the fastest time of 29.82 seconds over the 520 metre distance from box seven.

He will start from box eight on Thursday night.

The two-year-old has slightly more experience than Hara’s Kitana, with two wins and a runner-up placing from four starts, but Daley is confident her developing bitch can step up and match it with him from box two.

“She’s still learning her trade. With the other dog (Zipping Kramer) she found another gear, so she’s got that good competitive nature in her, which is what you want to see, especially for young dogs," Daley said.

“I think the others (opponents in the Final) have got a few months on her, too. So, at this stage she’s doing everything we want her to do.

“She’ll only improve and keep on improving.”

Daley welcomed a rare bit of luck from the box draw, adding another inside draw would once again allow Hara’s Kitana to showcase her early pace.

“We don’t often get blessed with the best of draws with some of our young dogs. So, to have these good draws her first three starts, it just gives her that little bit of confidence,” Daley said.

“Nothing is ever guaranteed, but it certainly does help when you’re drawn near the rail and she’s got a little bit of speed.”

Daley said she didn’t want to put too much pressure on Hara’s Kitana, but if she steps up on Thursday night she’ll slowly continue to raise expectations with her emerging prospect.

“We don’t want to push her too far too early. But, if she keeps doing everything right, there’s no reason she can’t have a bit of a crack at some of these age-restricted races coming up,” she said.

Daley is delighted with the results she is getting both on and off the racing track.

Last week she oversaw seven winners, one second and three third placings from 13 starters.

“We had an absolute bottler of a week,” she said.

“We’ve got heaps coming through. We’ve bred out of Hara’s Skye and Hara’s Pandora, so our bases are loaded.”