This is the time of the year normally that records are threatened at Central Southland Raceway.
In December 2012, Jewels winner Pembrook’s Delight paced a race record 1:54.7 to win the Equine Stakes at Winton. That was eclipsed 12 months ago by Rocker Band who clocked 1:53.3 and later also joined the list of Jewels winners.
Weather in the south however has been so indifferent of late that the clock might not be troubled when the 2016 Aon Insurance sponsored feature is run on Wednesday but it is still possible the winner will turn out to be special. Just which one is not clear but of the five Cantabrians and seven Southlanders who are going head to head, the Ken and Tony Barron-trained Amazon Lily looks to have the inside running.
She finished second in the New Zealand Yearling Sales Fillies final in February and the four times she has missed out on a top three finish have been in three group ones and a group two. Unraced since the Oaks in May, Amazon Lily has had two workouts and a trial this month to ready her for her resumption, hitting the line well.
Rocker Band’s trainer Mark Jones knows what it takes to win an Equine Stakes and this year has Mainland Banner’s daughter Glenferrie Classic to represent him. But although she has the breeding, her performances to date have been less than is required to win. Robert Dunn also knows, having won in 2013 with Cullen’s Mercy. Dancing In The Dark is his runner this year and has a handy draw to assist. The other two Cantabrians, Kayteeoh Denario and Ultimate Desire also both have fans, appearing on the Holiday Prospect page for Robbie Close and Brad Mowbray respectively.
Of the southerners, Erin Jaccka was a winner over a mile at Winton in March, clocking 1:53.9. However, she dropped out in her last start and after the race was found to have an elevated heart rate. Her trainer Murray Brown is pleased with her training since but reluctant to discuss her chances ahead of another heart check on Wednesday.
Aaron Swain says Betta Go Franco is working better than ever, has a draw to suit, and if they go hard enough early enough, has got the speed to be in the mix.
Looking at other races on the card, Grace O’Malley gave a lot of cheek at Gore and off the front in the Hamil Saddlery Trot, has got to be a chance. With the Williamson pair of Monty Python and Father Christmas both off 40 metres, they’ll have their work cut out.
From gate two in the PGG Wrightson ‘Sale Of The Stars’ Mobile, Hunter Bromac looks a top chance. And the nine-draw for Kitura in the Regent Car Court mile for females is unlikely to be enough to stop her breaking through for her first win.
Don Sebastian was well-backed at Gore and after settling a long way back, made ground well for third. From six at Winton in the Ryal Bush Transport Pace, the locally trained four year old looks a great chance to break through for his first win. Three Hundy hasn’t been the luckiest in his racing to date but with a trouble-free run, could offer Don Sebastian the most opposition.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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