By Matt Markham
Ben Waldron is going to let the Harness Jewels come to him, as opposed to going out and chasing it.
The Ashburton horseman is taking the if it’s meant to, it will happen approach with his star mare Queen Bee Bardon ahead of the Four-Year-Old Diamond in June on his home track because he knows that if you try and chase it, you’re more than likely going to come unstuck.
Queen Bee Bardon currently sits just outside the Top 12 for the Four-Year-Old Diamond with just a few weeks of qualifying time remaining, but she’s within reach of making the field for the $150,000 event if she can pick up a win at some point in the coming weeks.
“At the end of the day, if it happens it will be great,” Waldron said.
“But I’ve been in this position before with horses where you have to chase a spot and it hasn’t worked out that well for us, so we are going to take the casual approach and hope for the best.
“I’ve always said though if you are good enough to make your way into the field, then you are good enough to go and compete and it’s a bonus this year because the Jewels are on the back-door step.”
Without the pressure of chasing stake monies, Waldron would be quite happy to see his big pacer driven conservatively at today’s Ashburton Trotting Club meeting thanks to a wide barrier draw over the 2400 metres.
The daughter of Gotta Go Cullen has given her trainer and her connections, Gordon Guthrie, Michael Crequer and Renee Williams a few headaches in her short career to date, but the promise is there of some exciting times ahead.
“We have had a few battles, she got a virus and it took her a long time to come back from that, but we are getting somewhere, she’s a lot better than what she was.
“The key now is getting her to relax better for us in her races, she tends to like to charge out of the gate and then gets quite keen.
“I’m not one to give instructions to drivers, but I would think Craig will be quite keen to go back early and see what happens.”
Craig is Craig Thornley who has struck up a strong combination with the mare and will drive again today.
Drawn eight in a strong field the hope is that a good speed up front will bring Queen Bee Bardon’s speed into play late in the race and she can get home over the top of her opposition.
Ashburton Selections by Matt Markham
Race 1: Sea Rover, Star Pride, Woodstone, Jana’s Wishes
Race 2: Chevron’s Reward, Nicky Anew, Tara Tutaia. Real Obsession
Race 3: Sundee’s Son, Castlereagh, Majestic Man, Stress Factor
Race 4: Warloch, Spondulicks, Time Traveller, Burning Rubber
Race 5: Cindy Bromac, Chloe, Vera’s Delight, Midfrew Tarpediem
Race 6: Elmers Hoofing It, Paravani, Time’s Stride, Mega Watt
Race 7: All Settled Down, Muscles Galore, Beg Hall, Just A Dude
Race 8: Queen Bee Bardon, Christopher Banner, Shineonyoucrazydiamond, Nolan Sackett
Race 9: Missandei, McLovin, Royal Shine, Trouble Giero
Race 10: Mac Almighty, Mighty Santana, Titanium, Julia Lady
Race 11: Pirate Bay, I Am Yours, Novak, Zimfandel
Best Bet: Elmers Hoofing It (Race 6)
Value: All Settled Down (Race 7)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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