Harness racings big day (Harness Jewels) is fast approaching on Saturday (May 30th) at Ashburton and Harnesslink has decided to do a runner by runner preview of each division.
Here is our preview of the Group 1 $150,000 2YO Emerald for two year old colts and geldings.
1) Three Ways – (Mach Three– Grace Away by Dream Away)
Starts: 6 Wins: 0 Secs: 1 Thirds: 1 Life: $13,539
Smart colt who has had no luck whatsoever in his last two starts.
Made ground stylishly at his last start against those he meets here.
Has good gate speed so from the ace and with Dexter in the bike he becomes a trifecta and first four player
2) Motu Premier – (Bettor's Delight – Motu Pocket O'Jewels by In The Pocket)
Starts: 7 Wins: 1 Secs:3 Thirds: 3 Life: $69,613
Lovely colt who has never missed a placing in seven starts to date.
Hasn't quite got the zip of some here but will stay all day.
Needs the speed on all the way to be a major player here.
Must include for trifecta and first four takers
3) Salty Robyn – (Art Official – Holly Robyn by Live Or Die)
Starts: 7 Wins: 4 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $58,877
Disappointing in his last start at Addington but it may pay to disregard that run when assessing his chances here.
A mile at a track like Ashburton is right up his alley and you know he is going forward.
Ran a slasher at last Saturdays workouts at Ashburton when he brushed home in 25.5
Must include for trifecta and First four takers
4) Chase The Dream – (Bettor's Delight – Christian Dreamer by Christian Cullen)
Starts: 8 Wins: 6 Secs: 0 Thirds: 1 Life: $197,026
Outstanding two year old who has the all round game to win this.
Has high speed and can do work in his races so is very versatile which is a big plus in a race like this.
Has won over a mile on this track, has the hottest driver in the country at the moment in the bike and has drawn good which are all big ticks.
Big winning chance and include in everything
5) Mach Time – (Mach Three – Rhythmic Rose by Holmes Hanover)
Starts: 7 Wins: 3 Secs: 0 Thirds: 0 Life: $20,335
Smart two year old who has won three races this season but all in grade racing and not against the two year olds.
Having three of the favourites drawn inside him makes this a tricky draw and not sure where he will end up in the running from barrier five.
Hard to make a case for him being a first four contender
6) Lazarus – (Bettor's Delight – Bethany by Christian Cullen)
Starts: 7 Wins: 5 Secs: 1 Thirds: 1 Life: $190,562
Has been around from the early Young Guns heats at Auckland and is going better than ever at this late stage of the season.
Has high gate speed but surprisingly didn't use it at Addington last start and got pushed back but flew late for an unlucky third.
Hard to make ground on this track so should go forward from barrier six
Big winning chance and a must include for all trifecta and first four takers
7) Classie Brigade – (Bettor's Delight – Trigirl Brigade by Mach Three)
Starts: 5 Wins: 0 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $14,766
Has gone a couple of good races this season but away from the really smart two year olds.
Best run was his last run and if he had drawn in close he would have had a rough place chance.
From out at barrier seven it is hard to see him as a genuine first four player.
8) Sparkling Delight – (Bettor's Delight – Laurel Franco by Badlands Hanover)
Starts: 7 Wins: 1 Secs: 0 Thirds: 1 Life: $11,404
Has been a touch disappointing to be honest.
His trials prior to his racing debut were first class but he has struggled to be competitive against the better two year olds all season.
From out here he looks to be on mission impossible and hard to make a case for him as a first four player
9) Code Black – (Bettor's Delight – Christian Watch by Falcon Seelster)
Starts: 8 Wins: 2 Secs: 0 Thirds: 1 Life: $43,927
This horse just can't win a trick at the moment.
Ran third in the Young Guns Final but since then his draws have just killed him.
Won the Sires Stakes consolation with ease after doing plenty of work and even from out here he is a first four player
SECOND LINE
10) Harry Hoo – (Bettor's Delight – Twist N Shout by Badlands Hanover) (Emerg 1)
Starts: 6 Wins: 0 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $9,346
His first start was his best for the season and hasn't kicked on from that very promising debut run.
Unlikely to make it back into the field but even if he did this is too hard for him at this stage of his career.
11) Cash N Flow – (Mach Three – Karen Doona by In The Pocket)
Starts: 3 Wins: 1 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $14,404
Very impressive debut run followed up by a better one when fourth in the PGG Sales race.
Didn't look as though he handled the track that well last start so prepared to forgive him that run.
Drawn to get a soft sit back on the inner and appeals as a horse that could get a piece of this.
Include in trifectas and first fours
12) Chicago Bull – (Bettor's Delight – Chicago Blues by Christian Cullen)
Starts: 6 Wins: 2 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $13,715
First four runs all had merit but his last couple of starts have been off the pace.
Better with one run at them but hard to make ground at Ashburton when they are running 55 second half miles off the front.
Hard to make a case for him here from this draw.
13) Max Factor – (Art Major – Tact Philly by In The Pocket)
Starts: 10 Wins: 1 Secs: 1 Thirds: 3 Life: $22,511
Won his first start and competitive in Young Guns series but doesn't seem to have kicked on in the latter part of the season.
The wide second row draw has made his task a huge one at this stage of his career
Hard to make a case for him from out there.
14) Shandale – (Art Major – Delightful Dale by Bettor's Delight)
Starts: 6 Wins: 1 Secs: 2 Thirds: 2 Life: $49,851
Lady luck has deserted this horse big time lately.
Three wide in the open for the greater part of his last two races and still fought on for a second and a fourth.
If he got a drag into the race for a change he would be a major player here.
Must include for trifecta and first four takers.
SELECTIONS
It is a close thing but Lazarus gets the nod here as the first pick.
Track will suit and looks the one they have to beat.
The main danger is the stablemate Chase The Dreams who always gives 110% on raceday and won't disappoint here.
After that it is a bit of a lottery with little separating half a dozen runners.
Throw in Three Ways, Motu Premier, Salty Robyn, Code Black, Cash N Flow and Shandale for trifectas and first fours.
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