PHOTO
Pretty Sunday all but confirmed a place in the Harness Jewels at Ashburton next month after winning stylishly at Addington last night.
The Phil Burrows-trained mare began brilliantly from a standing start to lead all the way in the three-win trot and claim the winner's share of the $12,500 race.
She had previously been in 13th place on the leaderboard for the 4yr-old trotting division at the Harness Jewels, sitting just $1200 short of 12th place on the list, but with the $7000 she banked last night now looks set to be one of the 12 runners to tackle the group 1 mile at Ashburton.
Burrows, based at Fernside near Rangiora, had entered Pretty Sunday at Oamaru tomorrow with the idea of having a second bite of the cherry but thinks now it is very unlikely she will start again.
However, he said last night he would talk to the owner before making a final decision and it would depend on how she came through the race and ate her feed.
Burrows believes his mare has a chance of running in the money in the Harness Jewels if she draws well and can use her speed.
''It's a pretty good bunch, but she has got good gate speed and a lot of speed, and over a mile is probably a good distance for her against some of those.''
A mistake behind the mobile arm cost Midfrew Medusa (race 2) any chance of making his debut for Burrows a winning one at Timaru last Sunday.
''He was probably a little bit on the fresh side,'' he said.
''He had a couple of work-outs and had been good from the stand, but he just saw the gate and got a little bit above himself.''
The Pegasus Spur 5yr-old came to Burrows after a bone chip was removed from a hind leg. It had caused the gelding problems when he was at high speed.
''He's been trotting good around here so that's no issue now.
''He's certainly a trotter that can win at short notice.''
Its Nukes (race 6) should be over her various ailments as she lines up in an amateur drivers' race with Barry White in the sulky.
''She's had a few niggles - blood and joint niggles - which might have got on top of her a wee bit.
''She did work good at home this morning, so we're pretty happy with her.''
The withdrawals for tomorrow's Manawatu HRC meeting were not to be made until 9 o'clock this morning.
Additional information for meetings today.-
M2 Waikato RC
Scratchings
Race 2: Young Warrior, Dugan.
Race 6: Military Move.
Race 8: Otto The Great, Justagem, Memory.
Race 9: Tremain, First Response.
Weather, overcast; track, slow (7).
M4 Rangitikei RC
Rider
Race 8: B Grylls (a).
Scratchings
Race 5: Sunday's News, Unbelievabelle.
Weather, showery; track, deaqd (5).
M7 Invercargill HRC
Drivers
Race 3: Leigh Major - B Barclay; Five Angels - A Milne.
Race 8: Shiney Princess - G Thomas.
Scratchings
Race 2: Fortyseven Cruiser.
Race 7: Fortyseven Cruiser, Matai Bryan.
Race 10: Jerry Fitz.
Harness Jewels
On the fringe
Jewels hopefuls at Oamaru who have almost qualified for a start at Ashburton on Queen's Birthday weekend.-
Race 7: Speedy Earl (13th - 5yr-old Ruby); Uncas (14th - 5yr-old Ruby).
Race 8: Roxy Bromac (12th - 5yr-old Diamond); Just Rose (13th - 5yr-old Diamond).
Race 9: Hairy Maclary (12th - 5yr-old Emerald).
Race 11: Backup (14th - 2yr-old Emerald).