ASCOT DOUBLE TO TEAM LUCIANI

Jason whiting urges JACKSON ROCKS to a comfortable win at Ascot on Wednesday. The horse will start again on Cup day.

Photos courtesy Hollands Photographics - more photos can be seen at www.hollandsracetrackphotos.com

Whilst the meeting at Ascot on Wednesday may have been a fairly low key affair, the day will certainly be remembered by my son Dion and I as being the day that we prepared our first city double. Even though it was only a mid week meeting, winning a double is a great effort in any trainers book. The double came courtesy of two great rides from stable rider Jason Whiting who steered two low rated horses to impressive victories. The horses involved are LITTLE LARRIKIN and JACKSON ROCKS. Both horses had won their maidens at Toodyay and Mt Barker, hardly the place one would consider to be stepping stones for city racing however both have shown city class potential.

Jason whiting explains to the part owners and "assistant trainer" how it all came to pass!!
LITTLE LARRIKIN was unplaced at his first two race starts however this was due to shin soreness and injuries sustained in running. The unfortunate part of that is with two unplaced runs the horse found it hard to get starts when we needed him to. Taking him to Toodyay enabled him win a race and then avoid the ballot when nominated for the lower rating races. Now that he has won again we can be more choosy as to when and where he runs. The horse has shown city class potential from day one and I am confident he can continue to win his way through the classes. The horse was nominated for a similar race at Ascot on Cup day however he drew the outside barrier and we opted to leave him at home. There is a similar race at Ascot available for him next Wednesday where he may be better placed providing he draws a barrier.

Never one to use too much energy when not needed, Jason Whiting sits up for the photo as he eases LITTLE LARRIKIN down on the line at Ascot last wednesday.

Photos courtesy Hollands Photographics - more photos can be seen at www.hollandsracetrackphotos.com

JACKSON ROCKS came to my stables as a raced horse who had broken through for his maiden win at Mt Barker. Whilst the horse has been very consistent at all of his starts for us, he was being hampered by wide barriers and bad luck in running. On Wednesday, the horse drew the inside barrier which enabled him to take up a handy position in running. The horse always looked the winner in running however he was held up before the corner and it was a typical cool and patient ride from the fish to get the horse through late to get the money. The horse was a late scratching from a 2200m race at Northam on Sunday, a race he looked well placed in. The owners were keen to go to Northam however after Dion and I assessed the Ascot field, we decided that the race at Ascot looked very winnable and was the better way to go with him. Dion convinced the owners of this and as they say in the classics, the rest is history! JACKSON ROCKS may butter up again on Cup day over 1800m however if we want to give him a bit more time there is a similar race available for him at Ascot the following  week.

LITTLE LARRIKIN OPENS HIS WINNING ACCOUNT.

The part owners and the co-trainers look pretty pleased with the result after the win of LITTLE LARRIKIN in the first race at TOODYAY on the weekend. Part owner Jill Lewis has had a runner at the past three Toodyay meetings for a 100% record of three wins. Her previous two were ridden by co-trainer Dion Luciani. Talk about keeping it in the family!!!

Lightly raced three year old LITTLE LARRIKIN opens up his winning account at the TOODYAY meeting last Saturday. It was a very comfortable win and he was well handled by his apprentice rider Jayce Buckley who was having his first ride on the horse. The way he ran away from his opposition in the straight suggests that there may be another win or two in the young bloke. I have always been a big supporter of the Toodyay meeting and love racing horses at the track. I genuinely believe that racing as a whole is poorer for the closure of Toodyay.

Photos courtesy Hollands Photographics - more photos can be seen at www.hollandsracetrackphotos.com