Yulong January has taken all before him during a summer winning spree and his co-trainer Ciaron Maher is confident the progressive gelding can continue his rise in the John Dillon Stakes.
After finishing fourth at Kyneton in the first start of his current campaign in early November, four-year-old Yulong January has pieced together four straight wins – all in metropolitan grade races at Ballarat, Pakenham and twice at Flemington.
Placed twice at stakes level during his 13-start career which has netted seven wins, Yulong January is favourite to claim his first black-type victory in Saturday’s Listed John Dillon (1400m) on his home track at Caulfield.
Maher is convinced the gelding is ready for his latest challenge having had three-and-a-half weeks since his determined victory in an open handicap on January 1 at Flemington.
“He’s just one of those horses that everyone would love to own,” Maher said.
“He’s a $20,000 purchase and he just keeps winning. He puts himself up on the speed and he has trained on really well.
“We backed him up last start (11 days) and he looked like he had to look deep inside and find a little bit from within, but he did that.
“He’s just a real genuine racehorse.
“If his work is anything to go by on Tuesday, he’s right up to the challenge and I think he gets in with a nice weight. His jockey is flying, and I can’t see why he couldn’t go out and do it again.”
All four of Yulong January’s wins this campaign have been over 1400m and longer term during the 2020 spring connections have the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield as an aim for the gelding who is raced by Yu Long Investments.
Jye McNeil continues his association with Yulong January on Saturday, having ridden him in three of his recent wins.
“He’s a dude to ride,” McNeil said.
“He’s got a bit of character and he’s a real casual horse that puts himself in the winning position and makes all his own luck.
“I think he’s a horse who keeps improving and I’m sure he won’t be far away again.”
