Following In Luna Footsteps One Giant Leap
SA trainer/breeder Gavin Harris is hoping to relive his greatest moment in racing when Lena Jinx tackles the Australian Cup Carnival.
SOUTH Australian trainer/breeder Gavin Harris is hoping to relive his greatest moment in greyhound racing when record-breaking stayer Lena Jinx tackles the Australian Cup Carnival.
It's been the best part of a decade since Harris last targeted Group 1 glory in Victoria, with Lena Jinx's mother Luna Jinx.
Luna Jinx won the G1 Super Stayers during the 2015 Australian Cup Carnival as a $27 outsider, and was also a G1 Zoom Top invitee the following year.
"That's the biggest win I've had for sure," recalled Harris.
"I actually think Lena Jinx might be faster than her mum, but she's got to prove it in a big race."
Harris is once again shooting for the stars with lightly-raced Angle Park 730m record holder Lena Jinx, which could add much-needed X factor to the elite staying ranks.
Lena Jinx is in the mix to receive an invitation for the Zoom Top (730m) on the opening night of the Australian Cup Carnival on Saturday week (February 10).
If not, Harris will switch his focus to the Super Stayers heats one week later.
A daughter of Barcia Bale, Lena Jinx turns three on March 19 and whlle she's only raced 13 times, her staying genes have come to the fore since stepping up to ‘700' late last year.
Five of her six career victories have come over Angle Park's 730m course, highlighted by a track record 42.29sec performance on November 16.
She obliterated the previous benchmark of 42.47sec, set by Fantastic Radley, and then smashed the old record again at her most recent appearance, clocking 42.37sec in a 17.25L romp on January 18.
Following that demolition job, Harris set his sights on Melbourne, with Lena Jinx trialling at The Meadows last Wednesday in 42.64sec.
"I was reasonably happy," said Harris.
"I think she can go better and I'm planning to go back to The Meadows on Thursday to trial her again.
"She does have a bit of ability, so I want to give her every chance.
"I looked at the 730m race from The Meadows on Saturday night (won by Tan And Black in 43.36sec) and they went 29.94sec for the third section and Lena Jinx went 29.96sec, but she ran home 10 ½ lengths faster.
"Whether she'll get an invite for the Zoom Top I'm not sure. It would be nice if she did, but either way she'll be running in the heats of the Super Stayers."
Lena Jinx's emergence as a potential top-liner continues a proud family staying tradition that began with Harris' bargain purchase of Springvale Jinx, a daughter of legendary staying influence Token Prince, back in 2002.
"I bought Lena Jinx's great grandmother Springvale Jinx and her sister Springvale Lucy for $500 each as pups," Harris said.
"Springvale Jinx won $148,000 and Springvale Lucy won $46,000.
"Springvale Jinx made 22 Group finals all over the place. She ran second in the Sandown Cup in 2004 and then two years later ran third as a four-year-old.
"Springvale Lucy won the last two marathons (958m) held at Sandown.
"Lena Jinx has had a few problems, a bit of soreness in her hocks, but from her early days I thought she had staying ability.
"It's nice to have a fourth generation!"
The fields for the Temlee and Zoom Top will be announced no later than next Tuesday, with the third of the Carnival's invitation events, the 600m Rookie Rebel, moved to Australian Cup night (Saturday, February 24).
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