By Michael Guerin
Nobody has a better insight into just how destructive the biggest plunge horse of Harness Jewels day can be than champion driver Dexter Dunn. But even armed with that first-hand knowledge, Dunn thinks he can beat Titan Banner with four-year-old Emerald favourite Field Marshal.
Titan Banner has been a dramatic mover in Jewels markets, being as long as $26 before joining the Purdon-Rasmussen stable but around $3 now, after a stunning last-start victory over Christen Me at Addington.
Dunn was, as usual, driving Christen Me that day and was impressed by what Titan Banner did. But not impressed enough to be worried he can sit outside Field Marshal and beat him tomorrow.
“Titan Banner was great at Addington but this is a very different sort of race,” says Dunn. “I am sure I will lead because my horse has super quick gate speed and he is also tough enough to roll along.
“So while there are a few horses there who can keep going forward, they are going to need to do something special to beat my fella.” On a day when draws haven’t been kind to some favourites — most notably Monbet, Dream About Me and More The Better — their sheer class may prevail.
But reverse that and you realise that Field Marshal, who has won the Taylor Mile and Messenger at his last two starts, should be leading in a race where his main rival is likely to be working three wide for much of the first 600-800m, and it becomes extremely hard to make a case to bet against him.
Especially when Field Marshal reeled off a 26.5 second last 400m at the Cambridge workouts last Saturday, suggesting a colic attack 17 days ago has not hampered him.
Another southerner hoping to use gate speed on a proven Group One performer tomorrow is Nathan Williamson, who partners Democrat Party in the opening race. Williamson has never won a Group One pacing race but the mare has, having claimed the scalps of The Orange Agent and Fight For Glory in the past.
After an easy all-the-way win in weaker company at Alexandra Park last week many are rating Miss Daisy a chance to try for a repeat tomorrow, and if she holds the front then potential trailer Rocker Band will emerge as a huge danger. But Williamson says the gate speed Democrat Party showed in a far stronger race with a quicker lead time last Friday has boosted his confidence.
“She flew off the gate last week and I think we can get the top,” he offers. “I won’t be scared to put the pressure on because she has beaten good horses before and if she gets the top then she will be awfully hard to beat.”
It is hard to argue with Williamson but if a few others have the same attitude — including not only Miss Daisy but Lusty Mac and Cambridge specialist Bettor B Amazed, then the race could open up and bring those back in the field into play.
But that is the thing about punting on those settling back in mile races at Cambridge: unless they are clearly superior it becomes a game of bet-and-hope.
Whereas backing previous Group One winners with good draws and aggressive young drivers is a far more likely recipe for a successful day on the punt.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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