Two years since New Years Jay had her maiden win snatched away for galloping too far in a race, she made up for it in the most emphatic fashion at Forbury Park last night.
The daughter of Washington VC had monstered her rivals on debut in June 2012 but the first bend at Forbury Park had caught her out and she galloped in excess of 150m, leading to her disqualification from first place.
She returned to clean up at the trials last month before co-trainer and driver Jonny Cox set her alight again last night, thrashing her 10 rivals by 10 lengths.
New Years Jay was sent out a $1.80 favourite so was expected to win, but the winning margin may have surprised a few. Not Jonny Cox, though.
''The only thing we were worried about was that first corner. We got around that all right and the rest of them were struggling,'' Cox said.
''I never turned the stick or anything - I just gave her a few slap ups. She's better when she's on the job - she just keeps trucking.''
It was a bittersweet occasion for thoroughbred great Brian Anderton, who bred the mare with his good mate, Bryan ''Mouse'' Kennedy, who died in 2010.
Anderton now races the 6yr-old mare with Kennedy's estate, which was represented by his widow, Sandra, and other family members last night.
''It's a pretty emotional moment for me,'' Anderton said.
''If Mouse had been here, it would have been marvellous.''
