Three year olds highlight big night at Alexandra Park

Two Group Two features for three year olds will be centre stage at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

The Alabar Classic (formally Elsu Classic) sees the Auckland debut of star three year old Jumal (Downbytheseaside).

“I’ve done a lot of work with him the Auckland way and I’m feeling pretty confident about it. He’s actually been steering a touch better the Auckland way. Touch wood it should be okay,” Jumal’s trainer Steven Reid told me in an earlier interview.

The start is going to be interesting. Besides Jumal’s main rivals Allamericanplayer (3) and Freeze Frame (4) drawing well, Nazare (2) can also run the gate.

On Friday night Jumal draws wide at six. In the past he’s shown exceptional speed from the arm and has crossed his rivals easily. It’s expected driver Sam Ottley will press the go button before deciding whether to press on or to look for a posy.

Looking back at last year’s race, Rubira upset two of the more fancied runners in Marketplace and Got The Chocolates.

The Caduceus Club Three Year Old Fillies Ladyship Classic is expected to be fought out between the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained All Of Me (Downbytheseaside) and Alecto (Bettor’s Delight).

Alecto ran down All Of Me last week after the latter had a tough trip. With an upgraded draw (3) it’s expected driver Carter Dalgety will take All Of Me to the top and dictate terms. Alecto draws the inside of the second row so could end up three back on the inside at worst.

Mark Purdon has won six Ladyship Stakes while Cran and Chrissie Dalgety have won the last two editions with Beside Me and All You Need Is Me.

The supporting card sees the return of rising trotting star Hillbilly Blues in the G3 Greenlane Trotting FFA where he faces Belle Neige, Meant To Be, Bet N Win and Oscar Bonavena while The Lazarus Effect starts his Auckland campaign in the G3 Founders Cup, facing Sooner The Bettor, Akuta, Republican Party and Merlin.

It’s Auckland turn to showcase the stars and with an influx for quality horses from the south, field numbers are strong and racing will have an edge to it.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink