Otago-trained horses have been handed a mixed bag of starting positions following the barrier draws for the Harness Jewels at Ashburton next Saturday.
All nine group 1 fields were drawn yesterday, giving punters plenty of time to bet on the final-field markets when they open this weekend.
Roxburgh mare Al Raza is the first runner from Otago to get her chance next Saturday when she lines up in the $150,000 4yr-old diamond division.
The Geoff and Jude Knight-trained mare has drawn ideally at barrier 4 over the mile (1609m), giving driver Matthew Williamson plenty of options from the draw.
The daughter of Gotta Go Cullect will be keen on a hard pace throughout, and the second-line draws handed to Venus Serena and Willow means some mid-race pressure should be exerted on likely leader Lancewood Lizzie, who drew the ace spot of barrier 1.
The Ricky Allen trotter Starlight Starbright will get every chance of a soft run after drawing barrier 1 in the 3yr-old ruby division, although the Oamaru-trained Springbank Eden will start from wide on the front line if he gets a start off the ballot.
Barrier 11 does not look perfect at first glance for Father Christmas in the 4yr-old ruby division but, with King Denny, Belles Son, Majestic Time and Mum's Pride all drawing the front line, early pace looks likely, meaning the Phil Williamson-trained gelding should get the genuine tempo he will be after.
The inside of the second line might not be the place to be for Onedin Mach in the 4yr-old emerald. The saving grace for trainer Graeme Anderson could be the trio of top chances on the second row - Sky Major, Isaiah and Messini.
Anderson's other runner, Titan Banner, copped similar luck in the 3yr-old division, although he should follow out Art Union, a speedy beginner who has drawn inside the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen pair of Have Faith In Me and Follow The Stars.
Meanwhile, the scales balancing the battle between 3yr-old fillies The Orange Agent and Fight For Glory tipped slightly in The Orange Agent's favour after the barrier draws.
The Brian Hughes-prepared filly will leave the mobile arm from barrier 2, although Fight For Glory is drawn to be immediately on her back as the field heads into the first bend at Ashburton.
Additional information for meetings today.-M2 Auckland RCRidersRace 5: Amber Rayne - B Hutton (2).
Race 6: Bravo Supremo - M Cameron.
ScratchingsRace 5: Sheez Torkin, Cape Mapperley.
Race 6: Super Ready, Second Fling.
Race 7: Massa Lu.
Race 10: Bachelor Zeel.
Weather, overcast; track, heavy10; rail true.
M4 Wellington RCScratchingsRace 7: Michievous MisRace 9: Jimmy Mac.
Weather, fine; track, heavy10; rail out 10m.
