Chilli Running Hot in Quest of Hat-Trick

Speedy mare Chilli Jam will be out to prove she’s a bit better than moderate Summer class when she chases a hat-trick of wins at Cluden Park tomorrow.

The much-travelled mare will line-up a short priced favourite in the Hygain Class 3 Plate (1000m) after runaway wins at her first two Townsville starts.

Formerly trained in Sydney and then Victoria, Chilli Jam has proven a pleasant surprise for Wulguru trainer Tony Comerford with her faultless start to Townsville racing.

“I galloped her a few times before Issie (Teh) rode her first-up and she went ok, but she surprised us a bit with how well she went race day,” Comerford said.

“Every race she’s stepping up and it’ll get harder and harder. I don’t know, she seems to be going well and she’s just as good as she was the other week so hopefully she can do it again. 

“I think we had her six weeks before we started her, but she came here looking very fit and she’s handled the heat well.

“I bought her going on her fifth at Canterbury at her first start and a fourth at Kembla Grange and I just took the punt that she didn’t handle the Victorian way when she went down there.

“I thought she’d at least win a maiden here so we’re pretty pleased with how she’s going.”

Chilli Jam started her Townsville career in the best possible way, leading throughout for an easy win in a maiden over 1000m in January.

She easily handled a rise in class at her next run, bolting in by five and a half lengths in a BM55 over 1000m a month later.

Comerford has kept Chilli Jam fresh again for tomorrow’s assignment, but he’s not getting carried away with how far she might progress.

“She’s won two races but realistically they haven’t been strong races, although she’s won them well,” Comerford said.

“We’re just hoping she can win a couple more and eventually get out over a bit further and we can have a bit more fun with her.”

Chilli Jam will be ridden by her third jockey in as many starts, with Graham Kliese, her regular track work rider, booked to take the ride.

Pictured: Fast mare Chilli Jam speeding to an easy win at Cluden last month. She will chase a hat-trick of wins tomorrow.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.