The Duchess the one to beat in Nevele R

Despite her wide draw harness racing filly Duchess Megxit (Sweet Lou) will be the hardest to beat in tomorrows $200,000 Group One Nevele R Three Year Old Fillies Series Final at Addington.

The three year old filly who’s trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan will have to run from barrier nine but has the qualities to overcome that marble.

She unbeaten in her last six starts and was taken back at the trials last Wednesday.

“She came through the race well and trialled good. She’s about as good as we can get her. She’s our best (bet) of the day,” Phelan said.

The stable’s other runner Ultimate Racey Girl (Ultimate Machete) trailed the leader and was held up at her last start. In a tight finish she finished fifth 1.3 lengths from the winner.

“She’s improved since that last run. I hope she’s improved enough.”

Southland trainer Nathan Williamson has two runners in the three year old fillies final – Flying Ellie (Art Major) and Ruby Roe (Captaintreacherous).

Flying Ellie, the favourite, led and was shot down at her last start at Ashburton. The Stipes reported that she had a high heart rate and a slow recovery.

“We’re not sure what really happened there. She definitely raced below par. She did have quite a hard run through the early part of the race but should have fought on better. She did come into season quite heavily the next day so she may have been feeling uncomfortable from that. We’ve had tests done and her work’s been great,” Williamson said.

Flying Ellie draws the inside of the second row.

“She probably needs a wee bit more luck (than her stablemate) from her draw. Sometimes in these big races the fence is the place to be. If she got a shot at them I can see her finishing in the top four.”

Ruby Roe got back at her last start and stormed home late to get within a head of Louies Girl in the last heat of the Nevele R Fillies at Ashburton.

“She worked great this morning (Sunday). She’s been working really well. I think she would have improved from her Ashburton run.”

The John and Katrina Price owned filly draws two on the second row and follows out Classic Elegance.

“I think it should work out fine. We’ve tried to put her in the race and do what you’d do with a normal horse but she definitely has to have cover for as long as she can. If she gets dragged into the race I think she’ll be right in the firing line.”

Rolleston trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon have two runners in the Nevele R Final – Treacherous Baby (Captaintreacherous) and Arden’s Memory (Bettor’s Delight).

Treacherous Baby draws three on the second row.

“That’s not ideal for her especially with Duchess Megxit drawn on the front line. You would think she’d (Duchess Megxit) would roll the dice at the start, get to the front and be hard to beat from there. Our horse will have her work cut out but the way she’s improved this time round she’s a huge top two hope.”

If Treacherous Baby can win she’ll emulate her mother O Baby which won the 2012 Nevele R Fillies Series Final.

Arden’s Memory draws on the outside of her stablemate at four on the second row.

“It’ll make it hard for her. She’s probably a horse that has to rely on a genuine tempo. She doesn’t have that real top speed but she can follow speed all day and still be running home.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink