Jockey Damian Lane insists Kayjay’s Joy can only get better as the mare gains more experience racing in Melbourne after a hard-fought victory at Caulfield.
Kayjay’s Joy was having her third start since joining the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig stable afer coming from NSW and upstaged some handy mares to take out Saturday’s Bendigo Bank East Malvern Handicap (1400m).
The five-year-old won a benchmark race at Geelong in August first-up before finishing third to Real Time over 1200m at Caulfield three weeks ago when ridden by Blake Shinn.
Lane had Kayjay’s Joy ($10) tracking the speed with cover early and produced her at the right time to get the better of Danestroem by a short neck with 1-1/2 lengths to Mossbeat third.
Race favourite Sardaaj was trapped wide without cover from the outside barrier and finished sixth.
“She’s still learning to race our way of going and I think she’ll only improve,” Lane said.
Hayes will look to step Kayjay’s Joy, winner of five of her 13 starts, up in class at her next start.
“She just got on the wrong leg last start and Blake Shinn really felt that if she was on the right leg she would win her next start,” Hayes said.
