HRNZ MEDIA BITES, MAY 22
Hi everyone, we saw another championship performance by Adore Me last week. Now she, and countless other top-class performers, make a bee-line for the Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels Weekend, June 1 and 2.
Lone Star man with nine Jewels lives: We believe popular harness racing identity Trevor Casey will create history on Jewels weekend. Casey, the man behind the Lone Star Riccarton will no doubt be battening down the hatches for a busy period around the Jewels in his restaurant but at the races he’ll have an incredible nine runners across four races. Trotters are his primary passion; the likes of Stent, Escapee, Daenarys Targaryen fly the flag for his ownership but add in glamour two-year-old pacers Maxim and Sky Major, promising pacing filly Spirit Of Art, juveniles Hot Pants, Schleck and Zacharia, and you have arsenal to attack one of the great racing weekends.
This week; a final blowout for many Jewels hopefuls: This weekend there are some big names hitting the track to bolster their claims for the Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels. Perhaps the biggest name is Ohoka Punter, who was surprisingly beaten at Cambridge last week when looking well down on his best. This week though he’ll no doubt strip fitter and top off his preparation in Race 6 at Alexandra Park on Friday night. A free-for-all at Addington on Thursday night has attracted a nice field. Included in the field are Easy One The Eye, Elusive Chick, Star Of Isis, Smiling Star and Christen Me, the current boom horse of New Zealand. Earlier in the night Border Control will tangle with Elios, Mister Mara and Classiesistar, in what should be an intriguing pre-Jewels contest.
The two-year-old trot at Addington (Race 8) will act as somewhat as a dress rehearsal for the Neumanns Tyres & the Tyre General 2YO Ruby. No less than seven of the top 13 ranked two-year-olds will take part, giving punters a good line as to the possible outcome of the ‘100-grander’ next Saturday.
Box Seat Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels Special: Next Wednesday night at 8.30pm ‘The Box Seat’ returns for a 90-minute Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels special. The Trackside team are already working diligently at pulling together an extensive preview that ties in most of the major players, has in-depth analysis and all the bits and pieces you need to know for Jewels weekend.
Jewels Workouts: This Saturday at noon in Ashburton the Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels workouts will be run. These workouts may take on even more importance than previous years as the rough weather in Christchurch over the past week or so could be disrupting some preparations. The workouts will air on Trackide at 9am Wednesday morning and also be available on hrnz.co.nz.
Harness Jewels Colours: All 12 of the Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels leaders will wear the Yellow Leaders’ colours on Jewels weekend and all connections. The respective leaders are: Star Of Isis, Daenerys Targaryen, Adore Me, Royal Aspirations, Venus Serena, Stent, Christen Me, Maxim, Ohoka Punter, Bettor Cover Lover, Springbank Sam and Terror To Love. Those names alone must get the blood pumping of any harness racing fan. Connections will receive their commemorative colours at a function in Ashburton the Friday night before the Trust Ashburton Harness Jewels. The function will be hosted by the trio of Mick Guerin, Greg O’Connor and Mark McNamara.
Gold Ace back on track after trial win: The Ashburton track was the scene for Gold Ace getting his Jewels campaign back on track yesterday. A bold, fresh Gold Ace toyed with his rivals in the feature mobile and on an off-track he carved out impressive sectionals. Gold Ace beat fellow Jewels aspirants River Black and Pemberton Shard. He ran a pedestrian time overall but looked very sharp sprinting up a 26.8s final section and easily accounting for two smart horses. Other features on the day saw Eric Clapton and Venus Serena annihilate their opposition, both winning by eight lengths.
Milestones aplenty: Last week young trainer-driver Nathan Williamson moved into unchartered territory. He reined his 64th winner at Oamaru on Sunday on Latheronwheel, a horse he trains. That win put him one past his previous best driving haul of 63, achieved in the 2008. Williamson is also the leading Southland trainer with 23 wins to his credit. A tremendous effort for the young man who celebrated his 25th birthday just last week.
Mark Purdon ticked over 100 training wins for the season. This is the first time he’s achieved the feat by himself as a trainer. He’d previously racked up four centuries in partnership with Grant Payne.
Ricky May too is poised for a milestone. He’s on 99 driving wins for the season and looks odds-on to surpass his best ever season of 105. Meanwhile Dexter Dunn has a 59-win win lead in the Drivers’ Premiership.
Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Marketing and Communications Manager, Harness Racing New Zealand