The All Stars barn via Dave McCarthy preview their runners at the harness racing meetings every week.
This week of course is the Harness Jewels meeting at Ashburton on Saturday (May 30th) and with their kind permission we reproduce here the comments for the 23 runners the All Stars barn have in on Saturday
HARNESS JEWELS- Rated out of 10 as a winning chance with the comment by the driver of the horse on Staurday
Race 1 – Two Year Old Diamond
Northern Velocity (7)
Form: Won Sales Final at Addington.
Comment: 7- "I would rate her a 7 and a good one. Equal second best of ours on form. " (Mark)
Dream About Me (9)
Form: Just keeps winning and bold in trials last week.
Comment: 9 " The draw seems a problem though she has never really had good draws. Doing everything right and I am hoping she will just be too good for them" (Tim)
Arden's Choice (11)
Form: Good in 1.54 MR after getting back early at Auckland. G1 winner previous.
Comment: 6 "She might be better than that but as a win chance it is going to be very hard from that draw. I think it is the worst draw of the lot in some respects because it is harder to get on the three line line" (Natalie)
Race 2 – Two Year Old Ruby
Missandei (2)
Form: Looked the winner last time until stablemate came on the scene. This her best draw yet.
Comment: 7 "Gets better with each run and this is the best draw she has had if she can hold up early" (Mark)
High Gait (12)
Form: Huge run last time to come from impossible possie to win.
Comment: 9 "I don't like the draw but she can follow Missandei out which is a help. She is working terrific and only the draw stops her from being my best for the day" (Natalie)
Race 3 – Four Year Old Diamond
Willow (12)
Form: Three on end is hard to beat even if some easier than this.
Comment: 8 "Again a draw I am not thrilled about but she is following some useful early speed. She is good enough to make her own luck and she tries so hard she could offer some value" (Natalie)
Race 4 – Three Year Old Ruby
Prince Fearless (3)
Form: Raced solidly in the north and at Addington without being quite as impressive as formerly.
Comment: 8 "I am very pleased with him and his work has been excellent. He likes Ashburton and is at his best in sprint type races. He is a danger" (Natalie)
Petite One (10)
Form: Returned to near her best at Addington winning well.
Comment; 6 "She seems well but that draw is going to make things hard for her against the boys and they will probably be too strong." (Mark)
Race 5 – Three Year Old Diamond
Supersonic Miss (9)
Form: Faded after hard run in the Oaks. Nearly landed third in G1 start before.
Comment: 5 "It looks tough for her from out there especially with the pace inside. You can only hope you get on to a train when she would be competitive but it won't be easy" (Mark)
Linda Lovegrace (10)
Form: Been running on strongly from bad draws. Has a moderate one again.
Comment: 7 "She can run home strongly over a mile as she has shown here before. Blair will drive his own race but if she got the run she can be at least in the finish" (Natalie)
Fight for Glory (11)
Form: Outstanding in the NZ Oaks and tested The Orange Agent in the Nevele R Final after being parked.
Comment: 7 "I really don't like that draw. I reckon even 12 would have been better. We are in behind some speed certainly but she has to have luck to get a crack at them which is why I have her down a bit as a win chance. She is doing everything right at home" (Natalie)
Classical Art (14)
Form: Ran on in Oaks after enjoying nice trail. Likes this trip
Comment: 5 "It is going to be hard to win from there. But she is very well and she could surprise a few. Mark said after he worked her Wednesday if she had drawn the front line she could be right in it. The mile will really suit her where she can go hard all the way. Might be a place bet at odds" (Tim)
Race 6 – Two Year Old Emerald
Motu Premier (2)
Form: Consistently placed at highest level including the Sapling Stakes here earlier.
Comment: 6 "A couple of our others might have it on him for brilliance but he has a bit going for him even though a place looks more likely. I think he has the gate speed to get a nice trip from a good draw and he is a genuine horse. He will try all day. " (Tim)
Chase the Dream (4)
Form: Winner of the Sires Stakes Final at his last start and other juvenile features earlier.
Comment: 9 "He is my best drive of the day I think. He can speed out of the gate and he is as tough as. The draw is going to be a big help for those abilities (Natalie)
Lazarus (7)
Form: Brilliant late run for second in Sires Stakes Final after easy win in Sales Pace.
Comment: 8 "A brilliant horse so you use him out of the gate if you need to or use him during the race. Has an ideal draw. He is probably a bit quicker than Chase The Stars but not quite as tough at this stage. He can win but Chase The Dream will be tough to beat" (Mark)
Cash n Flow (11)
Form: Finished on in Sires Stakes Final and a late arriving two year old with ability (Jim Curtin to drive)
Comment: 6 "A really lovely horse but he is going to find it hard to beat the top one from where he is" (Natalie)
Race 7 – Four Year Old Ruby
King Denny (1)
Form: Beat all but Master Lavros at Addington in lead up race.
Comment: 9 "I would say my best chance on the day. He has trained on well has a nice draw which gives him options and no Master Lavros or Stents in this time" (Mark)
Race 8 – Four Year Old Emerald
Isaiah (13)
Form: Faded after tough run last time and has trained well this week
Comment: 4 "I suppose that sounds harsh but it is just that for this race he is in a bad place from the draw and personally I don't think a mile is his best trip " (Natalie)
Messini (14)
Form: Outstanding win at Addington back to left handed track last start.
Comment: 8 "He is just back to the best form he showed in Australia really. The mile will not bother him. He's a tough customer and he has a shot at them" (Mark)
Race 9 – Three Year Old Emerald
Hug The Wind (1)
Form: Outstanding win in class racing at Addington showed his real class.
Comment: 6 "I just don't think he is quite with the other two at this stage. He has the draw and has the gate speed to hold up. If I landed in front I would probably stay there as long as I could because that is his best chance of upsetting them. He was terrific last start but this is a way stronger field " (Natalie)
Have Faith In Me (4)
Form: First race since late March when he won the NZ Derby. Trials since.
Comment: 9 "I don't think the lack of racing will be a problem for him. He has had two good hitouts at trials and has done it easily. The thing about him is that he loves to be out there and really enjoys his racing. From the draw there are options and while I was reluctant to put a number on him he should be the one to beat" (Tim)
Follow the Stars (5)
Form: Runner up in three Derby's this season and three wins in easier company in Australia to fit him for this. Worked well this week.
Comment: 8 "I don't think that he can beat Have Faith In Me all things being equal. The pecking order is fairly well established now. For all that he seems very well and he has been enjoying his work. He is a class horse even if there seems to be one better at the moment " (Mark)
Lightfingered (13)
Form: Battled into fifth at Addington last start. Has made strong progress this year however.
Comment: 3 "I don't like to put a number on him. I am just grateful I have been given an opportunity to drive on the day and behind a horse I know won't let anybody down. Sure there are stars in there but I like to think he will go a pretty good race" (Matt)
Courtesy Of Dave McCarthy – All Stars Racing Stables – Check site here