Baby Jaycee digs deep in Laurels Heats

Some of the brightest female sprinters took to the track last night as Sandown Park hosted six Heats of the famous Group 2 Laurels series.

There were a number of eye-catching performances, but none were better than Baby Jaycee who launched her way into next week’s final with a brilliant 29.35s win – the fastest Heat win of the night.

Trainer Bob Douglas was holding his breath right until the finish as Baby Jaycee and Ailee Bale went stride-for-stride in the run home.

“I thought the Delbridge’s girl (Ailee Bale) was all over her,” he said.

“She ran home in 10.45s the week before and I said to myself ‘we’ll finish second, bad luck’. Then Lisa (Delbridge) said to me ‘you’ve hung on’ and I couldn’t believe it. She just kept on fighting. Even into the pen she wouldn’t give up her lead!”

Baby Jaycee overcame two knocks in a congested first split and managed to find her way to the rail.

“I was really happy. She just never surrenders. When it comes down to it, she’s in it for the fight.”

Her record improves to an imposing 11 wins from 19 starts and on Thursday she’ll run in her first Group race.

At just one year and 11 months old, Douglas holds Baby Jaycee in high regard.

“I’ve trained a few good ones over the years but she has traits that you can’t train, she’s just born with it. She’s not the fastest I’ve ever had, but definitely one of the toughest.”

“She only weighs 28kg but 26 of that is her motor and heart. She’s a little beauty with a special will to win.”

Baby Jaycee has drawn Box 5 in next Thursday’s final where the winner will take home a $50,000 first prize.

“She’s going to have to bring her A-game next week. It’s a good field – there’s a lot of speed inside and outside. The box isn’t ideal and she is going to have to handle it on the night.”

Later in the night Fur Pyjamas extended her flawless record at Sandown with the second-fastest Heat win, reeling in Little Critter who exploded out of the boxes in just 2.02s (fastest of the meeting).

Series favourite Kelsey Bale was a nose-length short of victory behind Cash It In but advances to the final with the second-fastest second-place finish.

Guelph returned from a two-month spell and was a dominant winner in Heat 4 for the Ennis camp.

Jackpot Joan and Mirabella Bale were also victorious in their Heats.

Baby Jaycee (3) holds off Ailee Bale (2) in a thrilling battle,