Group 1 $100,000 2YO Ruby (Mobile Trot)

With harness racing's big day only a week away, we thought we would a runner by runner preview of each division of the Harness Jewels at Ashburton next Saturday (May 30th).

Here is our preview of the Group 1 $100,000 2YO Ruby (Mobile Trot)​ for two year olds.

 

1) Cocktail Waiter  –  (Bacardi Lindy – Gina by Sundon)

Starts: 17    Wins: 0    Secs: 1    Thirds: 2    Life: $5,100

Ran a half in a minute back in early September last year but as the season has gone on, he has not improved.

One or two smart runs surrounded by a whole lot of runs that were below par.

Not for us.

 

2) Missandei  –  (Angus Hall – Pocaro by Sundon)

Starts: 3    Wins: 0   Secs: 1    Thirds: 1    Life: $10,085

She has not stopped improving since her debut and has all the credentials to win this.

Her workout at Ashburton yesterday against a few she faces here showed she had trained on since her last start second and she looks to be peaking perfectly for the big day.

A major threat to High Gait, especially the way the draws have played out.

Include in everything. 

 

3) Gunners Coin  –  (Muscle Hill – Galleons Dream by Chiola Hanover)

Starts: 2    Wins: 0     Secs: 1    Thirds: 0    Life: $12,653

Two promising runs to date and this is the best draw he has had to work with.

Doesn't look super quick off the gate but looks like he can hold his spot so he should get a good run from this draw.

A couple here look better but manners and driver makes him a big trifecta and first four player.

 

4) Wilma's Mate  –  (Pegasus Spur – Mybrotherwasastar by Sundon)

Starts: 7    Wins: 2   Secs: 2    Thirds: 1    Life: $20,036

The enigma of the field for sure.

Has enough ability to get right amongst it here but does have the odd chink in the armour.

Best saved for one run at them as she does have high speed but one or two here have her measure.

Trifecta and first four player for us.

 

 

5) Royal Willie  –  (Majestic Son – Miss Whiplash by Gee Whiz)

Starts: 5    Wins: 2   Secs: 2    Thirds: 0    Life: $8,700

Smart young trotter who has shown plenty in a short career to date.

Looked ready to make a race of it with Missandei at yesterday's workouts when he got a real fright when Maurice activated the removable hood for the first time and galloped.

We would disregard that run due to that and we think he can get amongst it here.

Include in trifectas and first fours 

 

6) Gershwin  –  (Muscles Yankee – Allegro Agitato by Sundon)

Starts: 6    Wins: 2    Secs: 1    Thirds: 1    Life: $4,853

Stablemate of Royal Willie who ran High Gait to a nose at Cambridge in 2:00 so the ability is there.

Draw is good for him as it gives him time to find his feet early and his workout yesterday where he made up a lot of ground on a 27.6 quarter was very impressive.

Must have for trifecta and first four players.

 

7) Arannalea –  (Pegasus Spur – Lady Boo Kay by Sundon)

Starts: 9    Wins: 2     Secs: 1    Thirds: 1    Life: $10,966

She has high gate speed and likes to lead so that is where she will head early and has the early speed to get across even from seven.

Workout yesterday was passable without being super and this field has a lot of depth.

A first four player at best for us.

 

8) He's Like The Wind –  (Great Sucess – Sunmist by Sundon)

Starts: 6    Wins: 0     Secs: 1    Thirds: 1    Life: $9,397

Huge run at his last start when after being badly checked at the start and settling miles from the bunch, he made stylishly to finish sixth.

The two previous runs were both full of merit so a player here.

Has high gate speed so can across early and get handy.

Stable is in hot form which doesn't hurt either.

Trifecta and first four player for us.

 

9) Aldabaran AY M  –  (Sundon – Big O E by Dream Vacation)

Starts: 4    Wins: 0     Secs: 1    Thirds: 1    Life: $2,071

There abouts in most of her races without looking like winning one.

Workout yesterday was in that vein of being handy without looking liking troubling the big players

Add in the outside front line draw and we can't see her running in four.

Not for us

                                               SECOND LINE

 

10) Marcoola  –  (Sundon – Arabess by Grant Our Wishes)   (Emerg 1)

Starts: 2    Wins: 0   Secs: 0    Thirds: 0    Life: $1,836

Has looked promising at workouts and trials but hasn't produced on raceday to date.

Even if he made it back into the field, we would struggle to see him as a first four player.

Not for us

 

11) Cyclone Chief  –  (The Prez – Cyclone Dani by Muscles Yankee)

Starts: 4    Wins: 0    Secs: 0    Thirds: 2    Life: $2,772

Has put in a couple of nice runs in his four starts to date without looking like winning a race.

Needed to draw handy on the front line to have any chance here.

Not for us.

 

12) High Gait  –  (Muscles Yankee – Regal Volo by Malabar Man)

Starts: 5    Wins: 5     Secs: 0    Thirds: 0    Life: $46,941

Unbeaten in five lifetime starts says it all

Just when everybody thought the pack was catching up to her, she produced a huge performance to win her last start and served notice that she is still the one to beat here.

Natalie is driving in superb form at the moment and they look a lethal combination.

Has a great all round game and a clear first pick for us.

 

13) Conon Bridge –  (Raffaello Ambrosio – Deidres Girl by Roydon Boy)

Starts: 3    Wins: 2     Secs: 0    Thirds: 1    Life: $44,871

His three runs to date have all had class written over them.

Has started from the unruly on every occasion as he will here but that hasn't stopped him winning his last two with real authority.

Still a touch green but has master trotting trainer Paul Nairn in his corner so lots of ticks for this fella.

Winning chance and include in everything.

 

14) Dark Ops  –  (CR Commando – Constar by Continental Man)

Starts: 16    Wins: 0     Secs: 1    Thirds: 1    Life: $4,341

Another one to look promising on trial and workout day but has yet to reproduce anything like that on raceday.

Has been galloping more than trotting lately and we struggle to see her playing any part here.

Not for us.

 

SELECTIONS

High Gait is the clear first pick but we think she won't have it all her own way.

Both Missandei and Conon Bridge have both looked more than capable of lowering the unbeaten filly's colours with a run to suit.

Those three stand out for us from the pack.

Throw in Gunners Coin, Wilma's Mate, Gershwin, Royal Willie and He's Like The Wind for trifecta's and first fours.

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