The famous Harness Jewels yellow returns at Addington for the first time this season on Saturday but it could soon be joined by a sea of blue and green at the mega meeting.
The redesigned Harness Jewels leader’s colours will be worn by Princess Tiffany and southern trotter Smokey Mac in two of the features at the daytime Addington meeting as the countdown to the Jewels at Cambridge on June 2 starts to get serious.
The colours will get huge exposure over the coming weeks as horses like Elle Mac and co start wearing them, although whether we get to see them behind champion three-year-old Chase Auckland this season after his recent injury won’t be known for at least another week.
But while yellow has been the colour of the Jewels for the last 10 years, that will change in some other areas of its promotion this season.
The major branding for the day, including the trackside signage, will be change to blue as the overall Jewels brand gets a revamp.
“We thought it was about time to freshen things up a bit and we still have the traditional element of the yellow leader’s jerseys as well,” says HRNZ’s Darrin Williams.
But while the yellow colours are all set for the seasonal debut tomorrow, the first set of green colours representing the Australian invites could still be a month away.
HRNZ have been stunned by the calibre of Australian horses whose connections have expressed interest in a Jewels invitation but they are also aware how quickly these plans can change with trans tasman travel, form loss and injury, which has been the case in recent years.
“It is early days yet and we have had our disappointments in the past but we have been contacted by the connections of some genuine superstars,” says Williams.
“We have some connections who are very, very keen to come at this stage but I don’t see us announcing any official invites till early May.
“That way we can have a better look at the form and which horses are still likely and the whole situation over whether Shez All Rock and/or Soho Burning Love are coming to the NZ Oaks may be clearer.”
While HRNZ doesn’t have a short list at this stage and are open to inviting the best horses from Australia in any age group, it is believed there has been genuine interest from the connections of Miracle Mile runner-up Jilliby Kung Fu, Ladyship Mile winner Carla’s Pixel and last season’s champion trotter Wobelee, who already has a cult following.
It may be a long way to go, but once the yellow colours roll out at Addington tomorrow, Jewels Day 2018 will feel that much closer.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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