The Harness Jewels might be a month or so too late for Jess Jaccka, but she could have the softest trip in the race.
The 5yr-old lines up in the 5yr-old ruby (trotting) division of the Harness Jewels at Ashburton tomorrow and has drawn barrier one for the mobile mile.
Though she may be not massively loved by punters, her Westwood Beach trainer, Jonny Cox, hopes she still has something left for the $100,000 feature - one of three 5yr-old Harness Jewels races on the day.
''She's had a pretty long season - probably a couple of months too long - but it's only one shot at the Jewels, we're drawn one and we're ready to go,'' Cox said.
''She's got a bit of gate speed and won a couple of mobile races - she should be able to hold her own at the start.''
A decent start and being tucked in the trail or three back on the markers will have Cox sweating on a run as the field reaches the straight.
''Ashburton is a long straight and you can usually get two up the passing lane.
''A lot of horses run out under pressure as well, so there'll be plenty of gaps there.''
Jess Jaccka is Cox's first starter at a Harness Jewels meeting as a trainer, after one drive behind Jaccka Jack at Ashburton in the 2009 edition. With Springbank Sam, Irish Whisper and Phils Gift all stuck out slightly wider, a placing in the rich feature would have Cox leaving with a smile on his face.
''I'd be rapt with top three but, realistically, top five or six would be good.''
Other Otago-trained horses are:
5yr-old Diamond (race 5)
The Steve Ashton-trained Better To Be Bad is a live hope even against the might of Bettor Cover Lover. Driver Brent Barclay is likely to get out from the gate quickly, judging by the mare's trial at Forbury Park on Monday, and if the pace is poured on and she gets a gap at the right time, she's a live chance.
5yr-old Ruby (race 7)
So King, trained at Tahakopa by Brian Norman, has won four races this season, but it's probably too much to hope for win No5 here. Like Jess Jaccka, he has a handy draw to work with. Springbank Sam had a quiet trial at Forbury Park on Monday but Phil Williamson will have him trained to the minute, while Monnay could be the long-odds danger even from his awkward draw on the second line.
5yr-old Emerald (race 9)
The scratching of emergency Formidable means Ballindooley (trained by Graeme Anderson and Amber Hoffman) will be following out Murphy Maguire rather than Terror To Love. If he can get a nice suck into the race, he is a place chance at juicy odds.
