Matamata trainer Andrew Scott hopes the luck of the Irish will be on the side of Irish Jewel when she tackles the $1m Karaka Million for two-year-olds at Ellerslie on Sunday evening.
Sir Michael Fay and Sir Patrick Hogan and his wife Justine, Lady Hogan, own the filly, an $8 chance on the TAB today for the race.
Both knights are proud of their Irish descent. Hogan was a part-owner in The Heckler, who won the Karaka Million last year.
Scott and the Wexford Lodge team selected Irish Jewel at the Karaka sales last year for Fay, paying $125,000, while the Hogans came into the ownership later.
"She was a very strong, good-girthed filly, with a classy head," Scott said today. "If you saw her, you'd love her."
The Street Cry filly cruised home at her only start at Avondale on December 2.
"While she is inexperienced and this is a major step up in class, we believe she holds a lot of ability, so we are quite hopeful," said Scott.
"The barrier draw (5) brings her into the race." Opie Bosson, who rode her at Avondale, has decided to stick with her, so that was another plus, Scott said.
"And we have a couple of lucky Irishmen behind her."
The John Sargent-trained Banchee was a $5 favourite today, just ahead of Big River on $5.50, with Icepin and Irish Jewel on $8 and Queenslander Sister Havana, Brave Warrior and Belles Fast on $9.
