The chances of a first Australian Harness Jewels victory got a massive boost when barrier draws for the glamour series were released yesterday.
Aussie raiders Platinum Revolution (1) and Shez All Rock (4) look ideally placed to win after drawing perfectly for next weekend’s finals.
The 2yr-old pacing fillies final was given the biggest shake-up. Leading Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained qualifiers Kayla Marie and Princess Tiffany landed horror positions in barriers 7 and 8.
That handed the Shane and Lauren Tritton-trained Platinum Revolution a major opportunity to bag Australia’s first Harness Jewels win.
The Sydney filly will be tracked at the start by recent Oamaru winner Buzinga, whose stocks have also gone up thanks to her position behind the likely leader.
If Platinum Revolution fails in her Jewels bid, Shez All Rock looks a massive chance to bag an Australian win two races later.
Shez All Rock looks set to dominate the 3yr-old fillies final after landing a huge draw advantage over her main rival, Elle Mac.
Elle Mac has the awkward 12 draw to work from, while Shez All Rock has barrier 5.The chances of a Harness Jewels trophy being brought home to Otago took a hit from the draw.
Majestic Man will start from barrier 7 in the 3yr-old trotters final and Oscar Bonavena has barrier 4 on the second row in the 2yr-old trotters final.
Both Phil Williamson-trained trotters will concede big advantages to their main rivals from those tricky alleys.
Driver Matthew Williamson will have to plot a perfect path with Oscar Bonavena to catch leading 2yr-old trotter Enhance Your Calm, who drew handily with barrier 4.
Southland trotter Full Noise drew one spot inside the favourite in barrier 3.
In the 3yr-old trot, Brad Williamson and Majestic Man will need to chase down Winterfell, who has drawn perfectly in barrier 1.
Majestic Man’s job is made a little easier, as his blazing gate speed could give him an opportunity to land a handy spot and possibly even cross Winterfell at the start.
Star 4yr-old Enghien was a major winner when he was handed barrier 3 in the 4yr-old trotters final. Southlanders War Machine (5) and Smokey Mac (7) will have a big job to chase down the favourite from his handy alley.
A G’s White Socks got a major leg-up when drawing barrier 2 in the 4yr-old male pacers’ final. Horse of the year Eamon Maguire follows him out at the start and should fare reasonably well from barrier 10. Fellow leading contender Star Galleria does not look as well off in barrier 11.
The 4yr-old mares final looks extremely evenly poised with leading contenders Bonnie Joan (10), Party On (12) and Utmost Delight (13) all drawing poorly.
Seaswift Joy got a huge boost in the race with barrier 2.
A repeat of the New Zealand derby quinella looks a big chance in the 3yr-old male pacers final.
Pat’s Delight (2) and Sheriff (3) have drawn perfectly and have an early advantage over their main rival, Sicario (12).
