While the favourites were the big winners in yesterday’s Harness Jewels barrier draws, Otago-trained runners were not all so fortunate.
Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained 2yr-olds Elle Mac and Spankem, as well as 3yr-old male pacer Ultimate Machete and 4yr-old pacing mare Piccadilly Princess, went from favourites to red-hot favourites by grabbing a coveted one, two or three starting spot in their category finals.
The Nathan Williamson-trained Dark Horse landed one spot wider in barrier four, which has seen her maintain her favouritism with TAB bookmakers in her 4yr-old trotting final. Three-year-old trotter Enghien and 3yr-old pacing filly Spanish Armada will both start short-priced favourites in their finals, but did not fare as well in each drawing barrier 7.
Heaven Rocks will be the only current favourite not to start from the front row of the mobile, though punters knew his fate before the 4yr-old male pacers’ barrier draw, because the Purdon-Rasmussen pacer has been a regular unruly starter throughout his career.
The draws were a mixed bag for Otago-trained contenders.
The Graeme Anderson-trained Eamon Maguire will start from the outside of the front row when he takes on Ultimate Machete in the 3yr-old male pacers’ final.
The pacer will have his last public hit-out for the race at Forbury Park tomorrow morning.
The Phil Williamson-trained runners in the 2yr-old trotters’ final fared better. Springbank Lachie landed barrier 2, which saw him move into favouritism over top qualifier Majestic Man, who will start from the unruly.
Williamson’s third qualifier, Majestic Connes, will start from barrier 5.
- Jonny Turner
