Kelly pins hopes on Take Tea and War Toy

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Les Kelly is hopeful promising sprinter War Toy can continue his progression to the city ranks at Eagle Farm on Thursday.

After a successful raid to Ballina in northern New South Wales, War Toy will make his midweek city debut in the Class 1 Handicap over 1400 metres.

War Toy was well supported firming from $3.70 to start at $3.10 when given the run of the race before clearing away for a near two-length win in a 1300-metre maiden on January 3.

The son of Time For War never raced as a two-year-old with Kelly preferring to wait to allow him time to develop.

War Toy never showed much promise in early two-year-old barrier trials placing only once in five hitouts, all on his home track at the Gold Coast.

However, the three-year-old has turned the corner with maturity and Kelly predicts a bright future.

“He’s by Time For War and most of the breed need time,” Kelly said.

“He’s improved but I think he’ll be better suited over further ground.

“He’s only had one start and he’s still a bit green but he’ll be competitive.”

War Toy is one of four runners Kelly will saddle up at the meeting.

His others are Take Tea and Jackpot Jay in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400) and Merlin’s Magic in the Class Three Handicap (1600m).

Kelly rates Take Tea as the pick of his quartet following the mare’s last start third to Sidekiss in a 1350-metre Class 4 at Ipswich on January 9.

It was the daughter of Testa Rossa’s first appearance since finishing third to Fastnet Cyclone in a 1640-metre Class 5 at Doomben in July last year.

“Her run last time was very good and she should be further improved,” Kelly said.

“It normally takes her a couple of runs to reach her best but she’s been a work in progress with a lot of hormonal problems.

“That’s why she’s hasn’t shown her true ability just yet.”

Kelly has booked Andrew Mallyon to partner three of his four starters with Robbie Fradd to ride Jackpot Joy.

Jackpot Joy is coming off a last start fourth when beaten less than four lengths by Snowzone in a 1350-metre Class 5 at Doomben on January 7.