DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Race 9
The advantage of starting from the front line is the key factor this Canterbury raider can use to make his rivals pay in the Winton Cup.
At first glance, Double Jeopardy comes into the race only off the back of a regulation victory over much easier opposition at Ascot Park.
But it is that low rating that has him placed ahead of his main rivals, who face 10m and 20m handicaps.
Two starts back, when fresh-up and in need of a race, Double Jeopardy ran an excellent second behind one of those main rivals in Betterthancash.
With the excellent manners he’s shown in his short standing-start career so far, look for Double Jeopardy to put an early buffer between himself and the key Winton Cup chances.
If that’s the case, it could be a head start they are unable to overcome.
UTAH JAZZ
Race 7
Powerful is the only way to describe this classy filly’s last-start victory at Winton.
Utah Jazz had trialled like a smart type in the making before scoring a debut victory at Ascot Park last month.
While win No 1 was solid enough, the 3-year-old showed her real quality when overpowering her older rivals with ease at Winton last week.
Drawing barrier 7 over a mile in a smart field under preferential conditions means tomorrow’s final Southern Oaks heat won’t be any picnic for Utah Jazz.
But with the quality of the lineup and Southern Oaks Final spots on the line, there should be enough pace to make the race a true test.
If that’s the case, expect Utah Jazz to rise to the top.
JULIE JACCKA
Race 5
Unleashing a powerful closing 400m to win at Winton last week showed Julie Jaccka is peaking at the right time as Southland’s feature meetings approach.
Though she was coming off a slow speed, the trotter zipped home in 27.8sec to score.
Of all the races at Winton last week, including the pacing events, only one final quarter was faster.
Crucially to her chances this week, that victory was penalty-free, meaning no extra handicap this week.
That places Julie Jaccka on 10m — 10m ahead of big danger Jimmy Carter and on level marks with other key chances in Rush and Samanthas Moon.
With another smart beginning and her sharp turn of foot, the mare Jaccka looks a big chance of putting herself within striking position from her workable handicap.
RUBY ROE
Race 10
It is hard to make a strong case for Ruby Roe’s demise following her breakthrough group 2 win in her last outing at Wyndham.
While it wasn’t surprising that the mare won, the way she went about it certainly was.
Known for her speed, the mare’s stamina carried her to victory in smart time when she worked three wide in the open for the second half of the race.
From a better draw against a similar lineup of mares, it only makes sense that Ruby Roe should prove hard to stop again on Thursday.
The one factor against her is that her two main threats, Seaside Rose and Sweet Diamond, are both drawn inside her.
But that’s nothing unusual given the wide draws Ruby Roe has faced recently.
CLASSEE
Race 1
She has one win from 21 starts and is competing on one of Southland’s premier race days.
But most importantly, Classee is in the right grade to be extremely competitive.
The key form reference for this mare is that she was very unlucky behind the very smart Utah Jazz in her last start.
If she had seen clear air, she could well have featured.
Tomorrow, the mare steps sharply back in class, which should make her pretty hard to beat.
Her last run showed she’s right back to her best, so even from her wide draw, she rates very highly.
