Ninjutsu chases Clem Jones Cup success

By Josh Spasaro

Akela Ninjutsu is in fine form as a stayer and an exciting career awaits her as a broodbitch.

That is the opinion of Anakie-based owner and breeder in regional Victoria, George Dailly.

“We’ve got Akela Ola here, her sister. We’re waiting for her to come on,” he said.

“And, once Ninjutsu finishes racing and comes back, we’ll breed a couple of litters with her, as well.”

The three-year-old bitch is one of the top chasers to beat in the Clem Jones Cup Final over 710 metres at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

She will start from box six for Martina Kirillidis after a courageous win in 41.71 seconds last Thursday night.

Over the same distance, Akela Ninjutsu led early, before Goldstar Prada opened up a seven-length lead on the back straight.

But, the Ballymac Kingdom and Akela Class long distance specialist never gave up, flashing through on the home straight to triumph by one-and-three-quarter lengths.

She will need to replicate the heart she displayed last week in a quality $23,750 Clem Jones Cup Final field, also including the in-form Autumn Storm, Fade To Black, Goldstar Prada, Zipping Xaden and Goldstar Sandler.

“She ran a really good race last week. So, if she can get out and go like she did last week she’ll have a chance,” Dailly said.

“I was very happy with her.”

Ballymac Kingdom is a top-performing Irish sire and Akela Class is by American Hall of Fame inductee, Flying Penske.

It is this breeding which makes her a formidable chaser and what could lead to a lucrative career as a dam.

“She chases like a demon. She’s by an Irish sire and out of an American bitch, so she can go to any of the Australian sires,” Dailly said.

“She’s a nice outcross who has raced in Australia, so it’ll be interesting to see if she goes to stud.”

Akela Ninjutsu has 12 wins from 72 starts, with almost $134,000 in prizemoney.

She has saluted in five of her past eight starts, including another occasion when Goldstar Prada overtook her on the back straight.

But, Akela Ninjutsu fought back to pip her at the post also over 710 metres at Q2 Parklands, triumphing in 41.61 seconds on December 18.

Along with Akela Ola, siblings Akela Judo, Akela Martial and Akela Iaido have also enjoyed good chasing careers at 600 metres or longer.

“Her (Akela Class’) first litter was very average and this litter was going along OK,” Dailly said.

“And, then they ended up being good stayers and very good chasers. They just keep coming.

“We’ve got a couple out of her to breed from.

“It’s turned out to be a really nice litter. If every litter was like this, you’d be laughing.”

Meanwhile, Dailly said he was looking forward to seeing Slick Splits – for brother and champion trainer Tom Dailly – build towards a strong showing in the Group 1 Australian Cup Final at The Meadows on February 28.

The two-year-old brindle dog won the Topgun by almost two lengths on November 8.

“Slick Splits is back in work. He had a bit of drama in the Melbourne Cup carnival and with The Phoenix,” he said.

“But, he’s 100 percent ready to go now and he’s going real nice.

“So hopefully we’ll have him ready for the Australian Cup and we’ll see how he goes.”