Pure Power, whose life was in the balance a few months ago, qualified for the Harness Jewels when he won the $50,000 Rangiora Classic under free-for-all conditions at Rangiora yesterday.
Pure Power, trained by Dave and Clare McGowan, has won three of his four starts since he made the trip to Canterbury from Pukekohe in March.
Pure Power came south specifically to qualify for the 4yr-old division of the Harness Jewels. The final fields are compiled on the basis of stake earnings this season.
The Grinfromeartoear gelding collected a $29,594 first prize yesterday, taking his stake earnings to $57,189 this season.
"He nearly died about four and a-half months ago with the same infection (colitis-X) as Auckland Reactor," Clare McGowan said.
"The infection compromises the immune system and we decided to miss the Taylor Mile and Messenger and get him to Canterbury to allow for any setbacks."
Pure Power was away from racing for close to three months from early November.
Pure Power was off-colour after he arrived at Ashburton and he missed a race at Addington on April 23. He then won twice at Addington including a 1.55.9 mile rate for 1950m (mobile).
Blair Orange drove Pure Power yesterday but Ricky May is keen to regain the sulky for the Harness Jewels. May, who drove Pure Power in his previous start, was committed to Monkey King yesterday.
The leaders ran the last 800m of the Rangiora Classic in 54.8 with Pure Power winning by half a length.
Pure Power, who has won seven of his 14 starts, is raced by Clare McGowan, John May, Peter May, Ian Smith, Miss B Smith and Phil Harrison on lease from breeders, Chris and Tina Barlow of Highfields Bloodstock, Albany.
• Mr Nickel, winner of the $A305,000 Australia Pacing Gold at Melton on Friday night, will remain in Australia for the Breeders' Crown series in August.
The son of Village Jasper and Nickel trained by Mark Purdon and Grant Payne, cost $A40,000 as a yearling in Australia. He is raced by Bill Grice, of Lorneville and Neil Pilcher, of Christchurch with A Kheir, of Australia.
