MISS RUBY SUNSHINE 7th IN JEWELS RANKING
Miss Ruby Sunshine should be safely assured of a Harness Jewels Diamond start at Addington on June 1 after winning at Forbury on Thursday, May 9.
The daughter of Sunshine Beach moved to seventh spot among the eligibles for the $150,000 2YO fillies diamond with her deserved maiden win.
Miss Ruby Sunshine, who could be one of three Mark Jones-trained runners for the Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond at Addington on June 1.
Overport Lodge junior reinswoman Sheree Tomlinson drove a cool race behind Miss Sunshine, bringing her home from three back on the markers.
She moved one off to find racing room turning for home, then angled back to the inside.
Miss Ruby Sunshine, full of running but hemmed up with 400m to run, unleashed a sharp finish to win by a length and a half in a 2:00.7 rate for the 2200m.
This was her first win in five starts, but she had been acquitting herself solidly in strong 2YO filly races this year.
She credited trainer Mark Jones with his 22nd NZ training win of the season, and the 43rd driving win this term for Sheree, who has a one-win advantage over John Morrison at the top of the NZ junior drivers premiership.
The trans-Tasman Overport Lodge entry for the Jewels Diamond could be three-strong if Stylish Memphis can feature at Winton on Saturday, or again next week.
Stylish Memphis is currently 12th in the ranking order for the Diamond, while Lulu Le Mans, for the last few months racing for the NSW team of Mark Jones and Aaron Goadsby, has been an Australian-trained invitee for the race.