Stopwatches and calculators were out at yesterday's Oamaru harness trials.
While it may be no surprise to hear onlookers had a close eye on the times horses were clocking, a calculator is something that is seen only at this time of year.
The cut-off for Harness Jewels qualifying is on Sunday, so owners and trainers have been studying how much prizemoney their horses need to win this weekend to qualify.
There are plenty of horses on the cusp of a starting spot for the trotting races on Jewels day.
Naturally, that puts Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson right in the middle of Jewels calculations. He has both Astral Ruler and Blazing Under Fire within reach of the cut for the 4yr-old trotters' race, and they stepped out in the main trotting trial yesterday.
Astral Ruler won by a head from stablemate Pyramid Magic, who was three lengths in front of Blazing Under Fire,
Both Jewels contenders pleased Williamson with their hit-outs.
Though Blazing Under Fire could not catch his stablemate, his effort to run on in a 57.8sec last 800m had merit, he said.
Blazing Under Fire has his last shot at Jewels qualifying at Invercargill on Saturday, and Alderbeck will line up at Oamaru on Sunday.
Williamson has another 4yr-old trotting contender who has two chances to add prizemoney to her Jewels tally. Alderbeck heads to Addington tomorrow night and is also entered for Sunday's Oamaru meeting for her last-ditch qualifying attempts.
Williamson will also start Majestic Man at Addington in the 2yr-old trotters' Sires Stakes final. Though his place and that of another Williamson 2yr-old, Springbank Lachie, are assured, the stable could add another trotter to the juvenile Jewels final.
Both Majestic Connes and The Commando could reach the Jewels with victory at Invercargill on Saturday.
What complicates things for them are the results of the Sires Stakes trot at Addington and that both horses are competing in the same race.
Williamson also produced maidener Taieri Miss to win at yesterday's trials. The 3yr-old galloped away in her only race start at Forbury earlier this month, but made good ground to run sixth.
Taieri Miss will line up at Oamaru on Sunday alongside her stablemate, Tessa's Pride, who ran second in her first start at Winton last weekend.
Promising Timaru pacer Hannity showed he was on track for his return to racing at Oamaru on Sunday by winning yesterday. The Colin Harrison-trained 5yr-old won two of his four starts at the end of last season.
Hannity will resume against rating 50 and faster pacers.
-By Jonny Turner
Results:
Track: fast, weather: fine.
Race 1, qualifying trot, 2500m: Midnight Fever, B Williamson 1, Be Bee Lass 2, Livinginthefastlane 3. Trainer: L Durham. Time: 3.27.5; last 800m, 62.8. Margins: dist, dist. 3 started, 2 qualified.
Race 2, pace, 2000m: Star Attack, B Williamson 1, Green Machine 2. Trainer. D Hari. Time: 2-43.7; 800m, 60.2. Margins: 2L.
Race 3, trot, 2600m: Taieri Miss, P Williamson 1, Madaboy 2, Landora's Lassie 3. Trainer, P Williamson. Time: 3.36.6; 800m, 61.4. Margins: 1L, 2L. 4 started.
Race 4, mobile pace, 2000m: Armori, G McLay 1, Maravu Excuse 2. Trainer: G McLay. Time: 2.39.1; 800m, 58.5. Margins: 2½L. 2 started.
Race 5, trot, 2600m: Astral Ruler, M Williamson 1, Pyramid Monarch 20m 2, Blazing Under Fire 20m 3. Trainer: P Williamson. Time: 3.31.1; 800m, 57.8. Margins: Hd, 3L. 7 started.
Race 6, pace, 2600m: Hannity 10m, M Williamson 1, War Horse 2, Fastroundtown 3. Trainer: C Harrison. Time: 3.27.8; 800m, 58.5. Margins: 1L, 4L. 3 started.
