Aston Maeve On Trial For Futurity Tilt

JASON Mackay has earmarked next month's Group 1 National Futurity with brilliant juvenile Aston Maeve, the daughter of Brett Lee eyeing three consecutive Maitland wins this Thursday afternoon.

Owned by Ray Borda, Aston Maeve lacks nothing in pedigree, by the great Brett Lee out of 2017 Melbourne Cup finalist Aston Miley, a litter-sister to the race's winner turned in demand stud commodity Aston Dee Bee.

Joining Mackay's Richmond Vale kennels along with siblings Aston Lee and Aston Tatum with exceptional reports, Aston Maeve kicked off her career in sublime fashion at Maitland on December 19, scoring in a dashing 22.20 over the 400 metres.

The 20-month old youngster then backed that up on Boxing Day with a hard fought 22.27 success, exhibiting the hallmarks of a bitch Mackay says is capable of going to the next level.

"You like to see them overcome a bit of adversity in their races early on … the good ones find a way," said Mackay.

"Some of her trial times and run-homes before she started racing have been as good as I've had … I've got no doubt she can break 22 seconds at Maitland with the right conditions but she's already looking for further than 400.

"She's a very clean winded bitch and 500 isn't going to be a problem at all. She's in a 450 at Maitland on Thursday and then after that I'll look to get her down to Wentworth Park and have a few looks before the Futurity."

Mackay is also targeting Zipping Veyron at the upcoming National Futurity, the daughter of Black Magic Opal and Zipping Willow – winner at eight of her 12 starts – most impressive winning at Wentworth Park on Saturday night by 9 ¾ lengths in 30.08.

The Richmond Vale conditioner knows what it takes to land the bitches classic, successful in the race with Zipping Midge in 2015, while in 2013 he landed the quinella with Sometimes Speedy and Punch One Out.

Heats of the National Futurity are scheduled for Friday, January 17, the same night heats of the National Derby will be staged.

The $75,000 to-the-winner group 1 finals will be run the following week on Friday, January 24, the same night as the Group 1 Paws Of Thunder Final.

With 2019 coming to a close it draws the curtain on a remarkable year of racing for Mackay, highlighted of course by Zipping Bailey's barnstorming Golden Easter Egg triumph.

One of the best in the business, Mackay shattered some strike-rate records in the 12 months just past, winning with 147 of his 315 starters, equating to a staggering 47%.
_____________________________________

AUSTRALIAN TOP 15 STRIKE-RATES FOR 2019 – Min 100 starters

1. Jason Mackay (NSW) – 147 wins from 315 runners, strike-rate 47%
Prize money: $765,000

2. Greg Stella (QLD) – 49 wins from 108 starters, strike-rate 45%
Prize money: $174,300

3. Ron Marsden (NSW) – 53 wins from 125 starters, strike-rate 42.4%
Prize money: $105,000

4. Seona Thompson (VIC) – 53 wins from 126 starters, strike-rate 42%
Prize money: $428,500

5. Glenn Rounds (VIC) – 52 wins from 125 starters, strike-rate 42%
Prize money: $242,365

6. Jason Thompson (VIC) – 90 wins from 221 starters, strike-rate 41.5%
Prize money: $706,400

7. Tony Brett (QLD) – 82 wins from 206 starters, strike-rate 40%
Prize money: $478,300

8. Peter Lagogiane (NSW) – 59 wins from 147 starters, strike-rate 40%
Prize money: $265,200

9. Rob Camilleri (VIC) – 102 wins from 295 starters, strike-rate 35%
Prize money: $534,500

10. Jason Magri (NSW) – 87 wins from 248 starters, strike-rate 35%
Prize money: $358,965

11. Frank Hurst (NSW) – 50 wins from 148 starters, strike-rate 34%
Prize money: $1.34 million

12. Anthony Azzopardi (VIC) – 119 wins from 362 starters, strike-rate 33%
Prize money: $1.07 million

13. Charmaine Roberts (NSW) – 101 wins from 317 starters, strike-rate 32%
Prize money: $365,500

14. Deb Coleman (VIC) – 111 wins from 344 starters, strike-rate 32%
Prize money: $241,450

15. Steve White (VIC) – 36 wins from 115 starters, strike rate 31%
Prize money: $870,340