Well-bred squaregaiter Jaccka Jeorge can continue his family's impressive trotting legacy at Invercargill today.
However, trainer Brett Gray is not convinced the horse is ready to show his full potential just yet.
Jaccka Jeorge caught the eye with a huge debut performance to run fourth behind Big Iron at Winton earlier this month.
The effort, in which the trotter broke early and recovered, confirmed the half-brother to Jaccka Justy and Jess Jaccka, by Andover Hall from Janine Jaccka, has some of his family's trotting prowess.
"He has got a bit of that natural ability the family has got,'' Gray said.
Gray is not totally convinced Jaccka Jeorge is ready to show the full extent of that ability when he lines up at Ascot Park.
"He is typical of that family; they do take a little bit to get going.''
"He is probably better behaved than most of the family have been, but they do take a couple of starts to click in to it and do things right.''
Gray will make a two-pronged attack on race 4 in which Richard The Great lines up alongside Jaccka Jeorge.
The trainer said the 3yr-old had also shown good promise.
"I think he will be a nice horse in time.
"He is a bit immature, but I think he will be a nice horse. He has a bit of ability.
"He will probably be better next year.''
Richard The Third was faultless when running second on debut at Forbury Park before galloping late in the same race Jaccka Jeorge contested at Winton.
Gray hoped that was a one-off mistake from his usually reliable trotter.
"That was the first time he had done anything wrong, so we were a bit stumped as to why he did that.''
Gray will line up first starter The Interceptor in race 5.
The 3yr-old's second to Pembrook Playboy at last week's Ascot Park trials was the latest of several good trial efforts the horse has put in before his debut.
"He went good at the trials the other day. He is probably one of my best chances.''
Hazer, who won a trial in moderate time on the same day, will start in race 2.
The 4yr-old does not bring a sparkling race-day formline in to the event, largely because of bad luck, Gray said.
"He is better than his form suggests. He was parked three-wide in his first two runs.''
Loma Jaccka will clash with highly touted 3yr-old Montefalco in race 8.
Gray expects a good run from the consistent mare, who has drawn barrier 2.
"She was a bit stiff last time. I think she is a nice chance.''
Edie Jaccka starts for the Gray stable in race 6 for junior drivers.
She looks the outsider of the trainer's six-horse team at the meeting.
