Sires’ Series next target for rising star

NEXT month’s Raiders Stake is the updated target for rising star Harjeet.

Winner of his last six starts, including the Group Two Easter Cup in Launceston, Harjeet will be given a brief let-up before being set for the Tasbred series.

Should all go according to plan, the Todd Rattray-trained gelding will contest the futurity Final in Devonport on May 4.

Depending on his performances, the son of Rocknroll Hanover may then be taken across Bass Strait for the Vicbred Super Series in June.

“The Raider is the main go with him now, so his program will be based around that,” Rattray said. “He is going to be very hard to beat in that.

“The Vicbred is a possibility, but because he is so big, I’m not sure if he’ll go or be put in a paddock. I’ll sort that out after the Raider.”

Driven by Rattray during his latest triumph, Harjeet began well from the stand to work his way to the lead.

Never seriously challenged, the four-year-old was untouched on his way to a 10-metre win from Let Elope, with Stagger Lee 14 metres away third.

Rating 1:59.1 for the 2698-metre trip, Harjeet slashed nine-tenths of a second from the track record held by Ohoka Utah and Star Chamber.

“He went terrific…I’m rapt with him,” Rattray said. “To do what he did for a horse which has only had 14 starts is a big effort.

“At this stage, there is no reason why he won’t continue to get better with more racing experience.”