Favourites get the early jewels

If there are racing gods, it appears they take multi bets. Because either that or a remarkable set of coincidences have seen many of the long-term favourites draw almost perfectly for next Saturday's Harness Jewels.

And while there is often a twist in the last week heading into the Jewels, there could be as many as seven odds-on favourites at Ashburton’s $1.2million meeting.

Of the six odds-on favourites before the draw, all have drawn the front row for their mobile mile assignments, with four of them to start from barrier three or inside.

The two others, Enghien (barrier seven in three-year-old Ruby) and Spanish Armada (likely to start from six in the three-year-old Diamond) are not natural gate flyers so are probably better suited drawn wider on the front line.

The huge winners from the draws were Piccadilly Princess, who gets the ace in the four-year-old mares’ pace while Spankem will be red hot in the juvenile boys pace from barrier two.

Ultimate Machete is perfectly placed at barrier three in the three-year-old male pace while last-start disappointment Elle Mac will be odds-on again from barrier two in the juvenile female pace, especially with key rival Dizzy Miss Lizzy drawn the inside of the second line.

That leaves probably two truly open punting contests in the two-year-old and four-year-old trots, where the more favoured runners have had mixed luck with the draws.

The hardest horse of the entire meeting to price must have been Heaven Rocks in the four-year-old make pace even though he was always going to be starting from the unruly.

While most horses conceding a start to near open class rivals around Ashburton over a mile would have no chance, he is a freakish talent and will still be first pick for many.

He was as low as $1.50 in pre-draw markets and remained there but with stablemate Waikiki Beach drawn to try and lead from barrier six expect pressure to come on his $4.20 opening quote.

Heaven Rocks will have his final public work at the Ashburton workouts today where he takes on nearly forgotten stablemate More The Better, who heads to the Jewels without a race start in nearly three months.

But the most anticipated workout today will be the three and four-year-old trot, where Lemond and long-time Jewels favourite but dramatic last-start failure Marcoola clash in a field that also contains Habibti Inta, Chevron Express and Missandei.

Wilma’s Mate will contest a handicap trot head while northern three-year-old trot entrant C K Spur will take on the pacers at tomorrow’s (Saturday) Pukekohe workouts.

By Michael Guerin

Here are the full fields for the Harness Jewels;

Ashburton Trotting Club Inc         Saturday  3  June	Radio
Meeting:   HARNESS JEWELS 2017 (Day 1) at Ashburton Raceway

Race 1 [11:47am]		ASHBURTON GUARDIAN 2YO DIAMOND (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 2YO FILLIES, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 2-year-old pacing fillies.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	610	2	f			Chevrons Reward		R53	1	Front	Gavin Smith	P B Burrows
2	11114	2	f			Elle Mac		R85	2	Front	Natalie Rasmussen	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
3	623285	2	f			Caitlyn Clarke		MR55	3	Front	Zac Butcher	B Purdon
4	236558	2	f			A Lister		MR50	4	Front	Mark Purdon	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
5	17732	2	f			New York Rain		R61	5	Front	Joshua Dickie	J W Dickie & J I Dickie
6	04641	2	f			Angel Of Harlem		R55	6	Front		R B Ward
7	210993	2	f			Bettor Joy		R59	7	Front	Dexter Dunn	C T Dalgety
8	314576	2	f			Purest Silk		R57	8	Front	Brent Mangos	B M Mangos
9	2327	2	f			Shenandoah		MR54	9	Front	Tim Williams	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	151	2	f			Dizzy Miss Lizzy		R68	10	Front	Blair Orange	N R McGrath
11	112F4	2	f			Lady Chatto		R63	11	Front		T G Butt
12	5331	2	f			Repartee		R54	12	Front	Nathan Williamson	Mrs K V Price & F J Price
13	21354	2	f			Sweet Mary		R54	13	Front	Matthew Williamson	B K Mowbray
14	602050	2	f			Reklaw's Gem	E1	MR45	U1	Front	John Dunn	R J Dunn
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			Caitlyn Clarke to Jeff Whittaker at Springston, New York Rain to Bob Butt at Woodend Beach
Race 2 [12:22pm]		NEUMANNS TYRES & THE TYRE GENERAL 2YO RUBY (MOBILE TROT) (Gr1)  $100,000, 2YO, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 2-year-old trotters.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	323P0	2	c			Majestic Hurricane	E1	MR51	1	Front	Blair Orange	K & T Barron
2	12	2	g			Springbank Lachie		R60	2	Front		P M Williamson
3	110360	2	g			Sundees Son		R56	3	Front	John Dunn	R J Dunn
4	12	2	f			Aoraki		R56	4	Front	Ricky May	G P & Mrs N M Hope
5	31	2	g			Majestic Connies		R54	5	Front		P M Williamson
6	450670	2	g			Imperial Whiz		MR44	6	Front	Alan Clark	A L Clark
7	1121D5	2	g			Paramount King		R56	7	Front	Joshua Dickie	J W Dickie & J I Dickie
8	722552	2	g			BJ Lindenny		MR52	8	Front		D J Bennett
9	41	2	g			Marquis De Sade		R52	9	Front	David Butt	P C Nairn
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	143410	2	c			One Muscle Hill		R63	10	Front	Mark Purdon	Mrs N C Molander
11	811827	2	g			Castlereagh		R56	11	Front	Samantha Ottley	M P Jones
12	46314	2	f			Renezmae		R55	12	Front	Dexter Dunn	J D Harrington
13	321223	2	g			More Shades Of Gold		R56	13	Front	Todd Mitchell	D W & Mrs C McGowan
14	1011	2	g			Majestic Man		R65	U1	Front		P M Williamson
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			Paramount King to Bob Butt at Woodend Beach, One Muscle Hill to Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen at Rolleston, More Shades Of Gold to Brad Mowbray at Russley
Race 3 [12:57pm]		WOODLANDS STUD 4YO DIAMOND (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 4YO MARES, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 4-year-old pacing mares.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	126452	4	m			Piccadilly Princess		R120	1	Front	Mark Purdon	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
2	775490	4	m			Cullen Who		R75	2	Front	Ken Barron	K & T Barron
3	132452	4	m			Hopes And Dreams	E1	R70	3	Front		G J Anderson
4	121380	4	m			Hard Days Night		R56	4	Front	Kimberly Butt(J)	Mrs L M Jones
5	240088	4	m			Bronze Over		R88	5	Front	Bob Butt	R J Butt
6	660565	4	m			Arden's Choice		R96	6	Front	Zac Butcher	B Purdon
7	572352	4	m			Queen Bee Bardon		R67	7	Front	Craig Thornley	B A Waldron
8	136416	4	m			Ultimate Desire		R81	8	Front	Dexter Dunn	B K Mowbray
9	253000	4	m			Cmeerock		R68	9	Front	Tim Williams	R J Dunn
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	911652	4	m			RR Sand Dollar		R74	10	Front	Blair Orange	P T Court
11	259320	4	m			Glenferrie Classic		R75	11	Front	Samantha Ottley	M P Jones
12	12P101	4	m			Rocknroll Princess		R73	12	Front	David Butcher	S G Telfer & C D Garlick
13	122177	4	m			Kayteeoh Denario		R68	13	Front		R W Todd
14	802098	4	m			Hopeful Harriet		R64	14	Front		R W Todd
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			Arden's Choice to Jeff Whittaker at Springston, Rocknroll Princess to Robert Dunn at Woodend Beach
Race 4 [1:32pm]		MID CANTERBURY TROTTING OWNERS ASSN 3YO DIAMOND (MOB PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 3YO FILLIES MOBILE, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	211222	3	f			Delightful Memphis		R101	1	Front		M P Jones
2	222116	3	f			Patanjali	E1	R64	2	Front	Stephen McNally	T S & Mrs G S Chmiel
3	121557	3	f			Juice Brogden		R68	3	Front	Nicky Chilcott	Miss N A Chilcott
4	6X5302	3	f			Major Rocket		R62	4	Front		C T Dalgety
5	321611	3	f			Gotta Go Dali Queen		R84	5	Front	Maurice McKendry	F D Cooney & T R Hopkins
6	691149	3	f			Delishka		R71	6	Front	Matthew Williamson	B K Mowbray
7	131411	3	f			Spanish Armada		R110	7	Front	Natalie Rasmussen	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
8	231376	3	f			Seaswift Joy		R88	8	Front	Jim Curtin	M I Shinn
9	35X363	3	f			Utmost Delight		R69	9	Front	Zac Butcher	S J Reid
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	317458	3	f			Step Up		R65	10	Front	David Butcher	S G Telfer & C D Garlick
11	533485	3	f			American Empress		R62	11	Front	Sailesh Abernethy	J M Young
12	115144	3	f			Partyon		R110	12	Front	Mark Purdon	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
13	111122	3	f			Bonnie Joan		R98	13	Front		C T Dalgety
14	334110	3	f			Shezza GNP		R73	14	Front		K & T Barron
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			Juice Brogden to David & Catherine Butt at Woodend Beach, Utmost Delight to Paul Court at West Melton, Step Up to Robert Dunn at Woodend Beach, American Empress to Steven McRae at West Melton
Race 5 [2:07pm]		CHRISTCHURCH CASINO 3YO RUBY (MOBILE TROT) (Gr1)  $100,000, 3YO, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 3-year-old trotters.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	213975	3	c			War Machine		R58	1	Front	Derek Balle	D M Balle
2	732242	3	g			President Roydon		R62	2	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
3	921132	3	f			Chevron Express		R82	3	Front		C T Dalgety
4	480131	3	f			Ruthless Kayla		R60	4	Front	Samantha Ottley	K T Fairbairn
5	121543	3	g			C K Spur		R74	5	Front	Joshua Dickie	J W Dickie & J I Dickie
6	218690	3	f			Regal Love		R60	6	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
7	111111	3	g			Enghien		R110	7	Front	Ricky May	G P & Mrs N M Hope
8	51D	3	f			Kissmeimloaded		R58	8	Front	Jack MacKinnon(J)	J A MacKinnon
9	284310	3	g			War Spirit		R56	9	Front		K D Townley
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	153551	3	g			BD Khaosan		R58	10	Front	Jonny Cox	T D Bagrie
11	909272	3	c			Habibi Inta		R66	11	Front	Blair Orange	P C Nairn
12	354642	3	f			Needle		R70	12	Front	Colin DeFilippi	C J & J DeFilippi
13	528202	3	g			Muscles Galore		R52	13	Front	John Dunn	C D & Miss A D Edmonds
14	333201	3	f			One Bid Buys	E1	R55	14	Front	Megan Teaz	J L & Mrs M A Teaz
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			War Machine to David & Catherine Butt at Woodend Beach, Kissmeimloaded to Robert Dunn at Woodend Beach
Race 6 [2:42pm]		COMMODORE AIRPORT HOTEL 2YO EMERALD (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 2YO COLTS & GELDINGS, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 2-year-old pacing colts & geldings.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	204	2	g			Bright Diamond		MR50	1	Front	Gavin Smith	G D Smith
2	211131	2	c			Spankem		R85	2	Front	Mark Purdon	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
3	208X	2	c			Royal Tribute		MR49	3	Front		P T Court
4	8478	2	g			Bailey Major		MR48	4	Front	Tim Williams	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
5	310	2	c			Star Commander		R54	5	Front		N R McGrath
6	42	2	c			Liberal Arden	E1	MR51	6	Front		T S & Mrs G S Chmiel
7	13327	2	g			The Black Prince		R57	7	Front	Todd Macfarlane	T A Macfarlane
8	42148	2	c			Aloka		R62	8	Front	Blair Orange	N R McGrath
9	131124	2	c			Alta Maestro		R85	9	Front		R J Dunn
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	128512	2	g			Ashley Locaz		R60	10	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
11	142362	2	c			Culpeka		R59	11	Front	Brent Mangos	B M Mangos
12	33633	2	c			Fizzing		MR52	12	Front		C T Dalgety
13	292355	2	c			All U Need Is Faith		R59	13	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
14	651213	2	c			The Devils Own		R75	14	Front	Natalie Rasmussen	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
Notifiable Gear Changes:			Royal Tribute: BL-Off    Legend
Horse Movements:			The Black Prince to Jamie Gameson at Burnham
Race 7 [3:17pm]		McMILLAN FEEDS 4YO EMERALD (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 4YO GELDINGS & ENTIRES, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 4-year-old pacing geldings & entires.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	306630	4	g			Don Domingo		R69	1	Front	Blair Orange	K & T Barron
2	1015X3	4	g			Mr Mojito		R107	2	Front	Kerryn Manning	Ms K E Manning
3	742212	4	g			Bettor Ops		R86	3	Front	Kirk Larsen	K N Larsen
4	617345	4	g			Eldolar		R72	4	Front	Scott Phelan	Miss A M Donnelly
5	869141	4	g			Buster Brady		R105	5	Front	Dexter Dunn	K J Austin
6	442223	4	g			Waikiki Beach		R128	6	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
7	254157	4	h			Ears Burning		R96	7	Front	Nigel McGrath	N R McGrath
8	222203	4	g			Mo Casino		R69	8	Front	Zac Butcher	S J Reid
9	512116	4	g			Cash N Flow		R100	9	Front	Tim Williams	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	213352	4	g			Sparkling Delight		R73	10	Front	Gerard O'Reilly	G D O'Reilly
11	723423	4	g			Crackamoa		R67	11	Front	John Dunn	R J Dunn
12	414516	4	h			Max Phactor		R82	12	Front	David Butcher	M G Berger
13	341019	4	g			Mighty American	E1	R70	13	Front		K & T Barron
14	P11211	4	g			Heaven Rocks		R120	U1	Front	Natalie Rasmussen	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
Notifiable Gear Changes:			Mr Mojito: BL-On    Legend
Horse Movements:			Buster Brady to Regan Todd at Woodend Beach
Race 8 [3:52pm]		McMILLAN FEEDS 4YO RUBY (MOBILE TROT) (Gr1)  $100,000, 4YO, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 4-year-old trotters.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	420429	4	m			Wilma's Mate		R104	1	Front	David Butt	P C Nairn
2	901524	4	g			Trouble Giero	E1	R62	2	Front	Stephen McNally	B J White
3	213101	4	g			Gentleman Sir		R80	3	Front	David Butcher	L C Driver
4	1P1011	4	m			Dark Horse		R89	4	Front	Nathan Williamson	N P Williamson
5	062223	4	m			Sundons Flyer		R67	5	Front	Blair Orange	B R Negus
6	902121	4	g			McLovin		R71	6	Front	Amber Lethaby	R H Jenkins
7	4157X0	4	h			Marcoola		R115	7	Front	Clint Ford	K B Ford
8	212416	4	g			Temporale		R102	8	Front	Tony Herlihy	A G Herlihy MNZM
9	015836	4	g			Justamollyarcher		R55	9	Front	Sheree Tomlinson(J)	R H Jenkins
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	312664	4	g			Lemond		R89	10	Front	Colin DeFilippi	R O Paynter
11	972145	4	g			Beg Hall		R61	11	Front	Kimberly Butt(J)	T G Butt
12	502851	4	m			Missandei		R82	12	Front	Samantha Ottley	B R Negus
13	565411	4	g			Eagle Galleon		R53	13	Front	Dexter Dunn	R E Wilson
14	741103	4	g			Red Hot Poker		R60	14	Front	John Dunn	G C Telfer
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			McLovin to Mark Jones at Burnham, Temporale to Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen at Rolleston, Lemond to Colin & Julie DeFilippi at Broadfield
Race 9 [4:27pm]		HANLEY FORMULA 3YO EMERALD (MOBILE PACE) (Gr1)  $150,000, 3YO COLTS & GELDINGS, 1609m    Racebook    Gear    Front Line Limit
		Race History    Jewels Leader Board
For 3-year-old pacing colts & geldings.
Book	Form	Age	Sex			Name		Rating	Draw	Hdcp	Driver	Trainer
1	833352	3	g			Rhythm N Blues		R71	1	Front	David Butcher	S G Telfer & C D Garlick
2	502236	3	c			Mongolian Storm		R76	2	Front		P T Court
3	132212	3	c			Ultimate Machete		R110	3	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
4	181X21	3	g			Thefixer		R85	4	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
5	232125	3	c			More The Better		R102	5	Front	Mark Purdon	M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
6	869716	3	g			Jack's Legend		R83	6	Front	Barry Purdon	B Purdon
7	111167	3	g			Let It Ride		R84	7	Front	Craig Thornley	T G Butt
8	215123	3	g			Forgotten Highway		R80	8	Front	Nathan Williamson	M P Kerr
9	113312	3	g			Eamon Maguire		R100	9	Front	Dexter Dunn	G J Anderson
—————————- Second Line —————————-
10	591101	3	c			Mongolian Hero		R91	10	Front		P T Court
11	622294	3	g			A G's White Socks	E1	R77	11	Front	Ricky May	G P & Mrs N M Hope
12	121400	3	g			Tiger Thompson		R73	12	Front	Jim Curtin	B K Mowbray
13	809811	3	c			Stars Align		R95	13	Front		M Purdon & Ms N C Rasmussen
14	184224	3	g			Shineonucrazydiamond		R72	14	Front	Nathan Purdon(J)	C T Dalgety
Notifiable Gear Changes:			No Gear Changes
Horse Movements:			Jack's Legend to Jeff Whittaker at Springston