JEWEL TRIALS FOR ADDINGTON
Commander Jewel trialled solidly at Motukarara on Tuesday, April 19, in preparation for a return to racing at Addington on Saturday.
The CR Commando filly was transferred to a non-win trot, starting off 20m over the 2200m trip.
After beginning fairly, she worked into a handy spot on the outer turning for home and was not hurried in the run home to run front-running Lord Nelson to a head.
Lord Nelson, trained by Murray Edmonds, trotted the 2200m in 3:00.6, the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 63.4s and their final 400m in 31.1s on a track, still slow after being saturated by rain in the last few days.
Commander Jewel, a first-up winer at Forbury last October, was freshened after finishing seventh in the Listed PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Series Trotters 3YO Final at Rangiora on March 3.
She is set to resume in the 1-2 win $10,000 Anthony Shearer Handicap Trot over 2600m at Addington on Saturday.
Trainer Mark Jones has Commander Jewel and Heather Castleton heading towards the $25,000 Trotters Trust NZ Trotting Oaks at Addington on May 14.
Stablemates Born Running and Come Tomorrow followed the field home in the up to one win 2200m stand pace, won by My Lifesign in 2:59.9, the last 800m in 60.5s and final 400m in 29.5s.
Maiden pacer Miss Mailwaukee settled three back on the outer and finished fairly for fifth to Keating in a mobile 2200m pace, won in 2:52.8, the leaders running their last 800m in 61.6s and final 400m in 28.8s.