Clayton Douglas’ charge Kaye Jay has made giant strides since entering his stable for the first serious test.
Following the gelding’s initial triumph at Sandown, the handler is mulling over a tilt at the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) scheduled for Morphettville in May.
Kaye Jay ($5), on just his second start, secured a decisive three-quarter length success in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate on Wednesday, edging out Mr Independent ($9.50) with Butterscotch ($15) just a long neck behind in third.
“This horse has taken leaps and bounds from the time he arrived,” Douglas said.
“I think he got beaten 20 or 30 lengths in his first ever jump-out. He was completely hopeless, but he has taken that improvement, and you like to see that in three-year-olds, especially staying types.
“I haven’t had to train him up too much this time, he’s got there himself and to run well at his first start and then win at his second, he can definitely go forward.”
Sandown Hillside Race 1 | Kaye Jay
After finishing 2nd on debut, the @c_douglasracing 3YO goes one better, stepping up to a mile in town 👊🏻
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy pic.twitter.com/80TO3LInFc— Racing.com (@Racing) February 4, 2026
The gelding notched a runner-up finish at Cranbourne in his debut last month, and he patently enjoyed the roomy layout at Sandown come Wednesday.
Douglas started off dissatisfied with Kaye Jay’s wide post position, though jockey Jamie Mott navigated him to a prime location.
According to Douglas, the sharp pace upfront handed Mott the opportunity to slot in before it moderated.
Extending beyond Wednesday’s 1600m distance excites Douglas, who sees Kaye Jay evolving into a top four- or five-year-old stayer.
“I would like to think he could be an Adelaide Derby type,” Douglas said.
“He’s a big, strong horse.
“With the facilities (of owner Barb and Barry Saunders) at Deniston Park, we can chop and change things with the Mornington stable.
“He’s a horse with plenty of substance there and when he gets out to those staying trips he should really come into his own.”
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The post Clayton Douglas has SA Derby dreams with Sandown winner first appeared on Just Horse Racing.