By Adam Hamilton
As amazing as it sounds, Emma Stewart shapes as a more influential trainer than Mark Purdon at the Breeders Crown Super Sunday.
Stewart will unleash an array of stars across six of the Crown finals and is brimming with confidence.
“I think Ideal For Real is should win and is our best chance on the day, but as far as my tip for the day goes, I’m with Miss Graceland. I think she’s a bit special, still untapped and has the barrier advantage over her main rivals,” Stewart said.
Miss Graceland is $3.50 from gate five on the Aussie TAB in the 2YO Fillies’ pacing final where Purdon’s Jewels’ winner Partyon is the $1.75 favourite despite drawing the outside (gate seven).
The other key player is Mick Stanley’s Petacular at $4.80 from outside the back row (gate 13).
Ideal For Real is $1.35 favourite from gate five, which gives him the barrier edge over his main rivals Tee Cee Bee Macray (seven) and Menin Gate (12).
“I think he’ll be in the top half dozen horses in the land in the next six to 12 months,” Stewart said. “We’ve taken our time with him and he’s rewarding us now. He’s got the draw and I think he should win.”
Here is Stewart’s view of the other finals she and partner Clayton Tonkin have runners in:
RACE 4 – 3YO COLTS/GELDINGS PACING FINAL
KINGOFTHESTARS (gate six): If he can finish top six we’ll be happy. It’s a strong field and he’s not one of our best three-year-olds. He’s just a nice horse who ran a good race in his semi, but has drawn wide (in the final).
RACE 5 – 3YO FILLIES’ PACING FINAL
HEAVENS TREND (gate one): She’s got the draw to she is our best chance, but it depends how the race is run. She should lead and can run a 26sec quarter if she isn’t pressured too much.
ROCKNROLL MAGIC (gate eight): There’s nothing much between her and Heavens Trend. She’s drawn to follow her everywhere and if there’s pressure on Heavens Trend, then this filly is good enough to take advantage of it and win.
WHIRILY SCHOOL (gate three): She’s a lovely filly, but just below the other two. She held on well after a tough run last week and has a place chance.
RACE 6 – 2YO COLTS/GELDINGS PACING FINAL
OUR LITTLE GENERAL (gate seven): Don’t sell him short because of the draw. I don’t think there’s anything between he and Tingira Beach on ability so if we get some luck we can beat him. I’m also not sure Tingira Beach is the certain leader some people think. This is the best we’ve had this guy going. He’s a winning chance.
RACE 8 – 4YO ENTIRES/GELDINGS PACING FINAL
SOLARSONIC (gate 13): He’s done a fantastic job this campaign, but this is a really strong race, he’s drawn so badly and our other horse, Ideal For Real, is better than him.
RACE 10 – 4YO MARES’ PACING FINAL
LOVELIST (gate seven): She ran a mighty race last week after carting the winner (Cyclone Kate) into it. She’s so consistent, but is drawn wide and our other runner, Delight Me, will be awfully hard to beat,
DELIGHT ME (gate 12): She’s the best mare we’ve got. She’s something else. Even though she’s drawn the back row, the main danger (Cyclone Kate) has drawn badly (inside the back row) as well. She will be very hard to beat at her last run before she has a spell then targets all the big mares’ races.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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