Racing: Gomeo Romeo looks well placed

David Butcher
David Butcher
Gomeo Romeo has the ability to capitalise on a favourable draw in the Harness Jewels race for 4yr-old entires and geldings at Ashburton tomorrow.

He is driven by David Butcher, who has won the corresponding race with Tintin In America at Cambridge last year and Changeover at Ashburton in 2008.

Both horses were trained by Geoff Small, whose brother, Ian, trains Gomeo Romeo from the same stable.

Gomeo Romeo, who has drawn two, has won 12 races including the Taylor Mile (1700m) at Alexandra Park in April when he rated 1.57.4.

He ran third to Franco Emirate and Mach Banner in the New Zealand Messenger a week later.

Franco Emirate has drawn 9, the outside of the front line, which is of concern to his trainer-driver Jim Curtin.

That draw has been overcome in two of the 18 Harness Jewels races run at Ashburton in 2007 and 2009.

Petite Sunrise (2yr-old trotter) and Running On Faith (3yr-old filly), winners in the inaugural year of the series, 2007, both started from 9.

Five is the only draw that has not been mastered by the winner of a Harness Jewels race at Ashburton.

Eight of the 18 winners of the Harness Jewels mile races run at Ashburton in 2007 and 2009 drew between 1 and 4.

Five winners have started from the second line.

Smiling Shard, who is in the 4yr-old pacers division tomorrow, and Jinga Gal (4yr-old trotter) were both successful as 2yr-olds at the 2009 Harness Jewels at Ashburton.

Carabella and Gold Ace, the top 3yr-old filly and colt respectively this season, are drawn to win their divisions.

Tony Herlihy was confirmed as the drive for Four Stazzz Flash yesterday.

Taimate Boyz has been scratched from the 4yr-old trotter division, reducing the field to 11 horses.

Vulcan, who won the 3yr-old division in Cambridge last year, is favourite after a brilliant workout at Ashburton last Saturday. He is attempting to emulate Springbank Richard, who won Harness Jewels races at 3 and 4.


New Zealand mile records
PACERS
4yo and over mare: Kiwi Ingenuity 1.52.1 Ashburton (2009)4yo and over e and g: Auckland Reactor 1.52.9 Ashburton (2010)3yo filly: De Lovely 1.54 Cambridge (2010)3yo c and g: Kotare Mach 1.53 Ashburton (2009)2yo filly: Gotta Go Harmony 1.55.5 Ashburton (2009)2yo c and g: Smiling Shard 1.53.7 (Ashburton) 2009
TROTTERS
4yo and over e and g: Lyell Creek 1.55.6 Ashburton (2000)4yo and over mare: One Over Kenny 1.57 Cambridge (2007)3yo c and g: Sovereignty 1.56.9 Cambridge (2008)3yo filly: Pocaro 1.57.5 Ashburton (2009)2yo filly: Jo Anne 1.58.5 Ashburton (2001). 2yo c and g: Paramount Geegee 2.01.8 Ashburton (2010)


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