SUPREME GEM FAST IN NELSON MAIDEN
Well-bred filly Supreme Gem will target the first $18,0000 Nevele R 3YO fillies Heat for the season at Blenheim next Friday, January 14, after easily winning her maiden at Nelson on Friday, January 7.
The daughter of Christian Cullen and the first foal from former speedy racemare Flying Sands (1:56.5 mile rate, 1950m) bounced back from a slightly disappointing first-up run for six weeks at Addington on New Year’s Eve.
“Its hard to get a line on her at home. I was hoping she’d improve with that run under her belt,” Mark said.
Already a 1:54.4 placed miler at Ashburton in November, Supreme Gem was notching her first win at her fifth start.
Supreme Gem led throughout the Nelson Mail/Waimea Contract Carriers Mobile Pace, posting a slick 2:58.2 for the mobile 2400m.
She rated 1:59.4 for the trip, running her last 800m in 58.9s and wasn’t seriously challenged over her final 400m in 30.5s, holding solid finishing runnerup Arden’s Southee, by 1 1/2 lengths.
Stablemate Jellignite will step to the 2-win grade at Nelson on Sunday after impressively overcoming an early tangle off the unruly from a stand in the 1w Golden Edge Pace on the first day.
After losing 20-30m, Jellignite recovered to settle second last then improved with cover on the three wide line beginning the last 1200m.He was perfectly positioned three wide cover on the back of Chal Dream with regular driver Regan Todd waiting until the final 200m before peeling to the outside.
Jellignite found enough to hold Boogiestom, who led early, then trailed, by a head in a strong 3:04.7 (2:03.8 mile rate) for the 2400m from a stand.
He was timed over his last 800m in 57.6s and his closing 400m in 29.6s.
Jellignite will start from the seven gate in the mobile 2400m Lindauer Mobile Pace on Sunday.
The 3YO Courage Under Fire gelding will come up against stablemate Babes Boy Bob, a sound third from an outside gate behind easy winner Woman In Black in the 2-win pace on Friday.
Jellignite took his record to four wins from 10 starts on Friday for owner, Miss Pat Campbell.