Golden Jaylet & Kathryn Pickering have a special bond
It is a love story that defines harness racing.
Owner-trainer Kathryn Pickering and her 12-year-old pacer Golden Jaylet celebrated a metropolitan win at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Pickering, who is past retirement age, only ever has one horse in work and for the past five years has enjoyed a wonderful association with giveaway Golden Jaylet.
On Saturday, Globe Derby Park, Golden Jaylet ($4.40) led throughout from gate one in the NC Equine Pace (1800m) eventually drawing clear to win by seven metres.
He was driven by Danielle Hill who was an integral part in the gelding finding his way into Pickering’s stable.
It was the 21st win by the aged pacer since coming under the care and guidance of Pickering in 2019.
“I love him so much,” Pickering said.
“He is such an intelligent horse, and we are mates.
“When he first game into my stable he was a bit stand-offish, but he quickly learned to love my care, and we have a special relationship.
Golden Jaylet’s career began around the Mildura area in early 2018 before joining then Port Pirie trainer Waylon Hornhardt in June that year.
He won one race for Hornhardt but by the end of July, when the trainer decided to scale back his team, the horse found his way to Danielle Hill who gave him three runs, including a win at Globe Derby Park.
Pickering explained she had been training a horse called Santanna Rhythm which unfortunately had lost his life in 2018.
“Dani (Hill) was aware I was on the lookout for another horse and suggested Golden Jaylet and I was happy to giver him a go,” the trainer said.
“He won his first race for me at Globe Derby Park in January 2020 and for the past five years he has been a wonderful involvement in harness racing.”
Golden Jaylet is stabled at fellow trainer Ingrid Smith’s stables at Penfield, and every day Pickering goes out twice a day to care for him.
It is a complete hands-on training effort with Pickering working and feeding him.
“I work him in a big bike, and with me in the sulky, so he must love race days when Dani hops into the gig.”
Watching Pickering and Golden Jaylet on race day is enjoyable.
The gelding walks into his stall and turns around to face out without any guidance from the trainer.
He also knows when to life his legs when the hopples are applied or removed.
Pickering rewards him with cuddles wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Well, he is 12 so he should have learned a few things by now,” she laughed.
“Early on he loved the shorter trips but now I think he is more comfortable over distances such as 2230 metres.
“He loves leading and the 1800 metre was ideal today and he was perfectly rated by Dani.”
Despite his age, Golden Jaylet still has another few seasons to build on his record of 23 wins and 31 placings from 190 starts earning just over $80,000 in stakes.
- Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga