Radioactive Jaffa needs pace on at Addington tonight

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

Russell Kennedy is hopeful a fast tempo will play into his hands at Addington tonight.

The Yaldhurst-based trainer lines up Radioactive Jaffa in the ninth heat of the Canterbury Plains Challenge Series.

The Auckland Reactor nine-year-old heads into the race in fine form, having had three seconds in his last five starts.

“He’s been the bridesmaid more than the bride …. but he’s working super and never felt better,” says Kennedy who also bred the horse, and owns him along with Wayne Ivey.

On the back of his good recent form, he’s a $3.90 favourite tonight (7.09pm), with Star Magic and Westar Molly the next best backed at $5.50. He has one win and six placings over tonight’s distance (1980m).

While he’s the “nicest little horse to have around the stable” Radioactive Jaffa doesn’t react well to have horses around him on race day.

“If you put him in the draw he gets a bit claustrophic and pulls. He’s better off on the unruly where he relaxes a wee bit.”

But from the outside of the second line Radioactive Jaffa’s chances are dictated to by what happens in front of him.

“He likes to do nothing and follow a hot pace….the first half of the last mile needs to be 60 or 61 (seconds).”

“That takes the wind out of some of them and he’ll always come out and run home.”

His big finishes have become something of a trademark.

With regular driver Ricky May being suspended, Sam Ottley will be in the sulky today and as long as they don’t loiter up front Kennedy is hopeful that Radioactive Jaffa can mark his 50th start in style.

“He’s due,” he says.

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