There are plenty of previews floating around for the Jewels so let’s make this quick.
Andrew Fitzgerald looks through the Jewels card including selections from Matt Cross and Cambridge based Junior Driver Dylan Ferguson
Race 1 [11:45am] |
NRM EVOLVE 4YO DIAMOND |
Obviously this race has opened up a lot with the removal of Arms Of An Angel several weeks ago. That scratching saw jewels leader Democrat Party tumble into favourite from an opening quote of around $10, the 4yo American Ideal mare is now a $2.70 chance with the NZ TAB.
Lusty Mac has enough gate speed to put herself into contention, she should receive a handy trip and with her great course stats she is worth an each way bet at $10 FF & $3 FF.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 5-2-1-12
Matt Cross 5-9-2-1
Dylan Ferguson 9-5-2-1
Suggested bet: Democrat Party WIN / Lusty Mac PLACE
Race 2 [12:20pm] |
MITRE 10 MEGA CAMBRIDGE 2YO RUBY |
A clear cut top pick in the 2yo trot, with Enghien a well backed favourite. He did get as short as $1.14 at one stage, but with a mistake behind the mobile arm at the recent workouts, his quote has got out to a nice enough $1.40 FF.
Custodian is the horse I can see providing the upset to Enghien. The All Stars team have only had him for a short time, but you can no doubt expect a wee bit of improvement, with his top line gate speed I expect to see him strolling along in front. The $4.80 FF and $1.25 FF are juicy enough for me to have a crack at.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 5-3-1-4
Matt Cross 3-5-4-1
Dylan Ferguson 5-3-8-7
Suggested Bet: Trifecta/First4 – 3,5/3,5/1,4/1,4
Race 3 [12:55pm] |
RA & JV YARNDLEY 2YO DIAMOND |
Only three runners you need in this for me, Spanish Armada, Partyon and Delightful Memphis.
I can’t split these 3 fillies, and I think it will definitely come down to whoever gets the best run. Partyon looks like she is the one who is drawn to receive the trip and with Mark Purdon in the cart you would expect her to roll forward and lead up. Her recent Cambridge workout was good, with her rolling along nicely in front. Currently $3.40 $1.20 FF
Spanish Armada $1.65 / $1.07 FF have both been super in the feature races of late, dominating most of them. She has a tricky draw to work with, but she has the class to overcome it, while it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Delightful Memphis $4.00 / $1.25 FF run straight by them if she was able to get a good drag into it.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 7-4-10-3
Matt Cross 4-7-10-3
Dylan Ferguson 4-10-3-7
Suggested bet: Trifecta 4,7/4,7,10/4,7,10
Race 4 [1:28pm] |
STALLIONS AUSTRALASIA 4YO RUBY |
One of the battles of the day this one, and the draws have thrown just a wee bit of doubt into everyone’s minds.
No doubt in my mind that Monbet will once again show that he is the best trotter in Australasia. Drawn the outside, Ricky May will have no choice but to press forward and park himself outside his main rival Sunny Ruby. Monbet has great staying power and if May does decide to drive him like that and drill Ruby down the back then it will be game over and punters will run to the tote to collect their $1.16 FF price.
The $1.25 looked to be to be an absolute steal for Sunny Ruby to run a place, but if it pans out how I think it will then that offers no value at all. With the draw Bob Butt has to work with, it’s possible that Le Reveur $2.80 Fixed Place could lob the one by one spot in behind Monbet.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 8-3-2-10
Matt Cross 8-2-9-11
Dylan Ferguson 2-8-9-10
Suggested bet: Le Reveur PLACE
Race 5 [2:03pm] |
DUNSTAN FEEDS 3YO DIAMOND |
The three All Star runners once again have the field covered. These fillies are classes above the rest and you would expect them to fill the Trifecta once again.
Piccadilly Princess on top for me, if Tim Williams is able to slot her into the trail behind Golden Goddess, I feel she might just be able to sneak up the pegs and cause an upset of some sorts.
Dream About Me has a terrible draw to work with, but we all know how good of a driver Mark Purdon is and I can see him getting away from the fence into a handy position.
Golden Goddess should lead up and I wouldn’t expect Natalie to be handing up over the mile trip.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 2-9-3-1
Matt Cross 9-3-2-4
Dylan Ferguson 9-2-3-4
Suggested bet: First4 2,3,9/2,3,9/2,3,9/1,4
Race 6 [2:38pm] |
NRM EQUI-JEWEL 2YO EMERALD |
Another Jewels race dominated by the Purdon/Rasmussen team, although this race has extra interest, with their two favoured runners drawn badly in barriers 9 and 12.
While it shouldn’t get in the way of them still grabbing another victory, there are a couple worth place bets in the field.
Mitch Maguire $3.00 FF Place and The Lone Ranger $3.80 FF Place are the two I think are worth a bet.
The former showed great gate speed and put up a great fight to finish 4th against the Purdon team last start. With the use of the ace barrier draw, he will be able to boom along and hopefully he can sneak into a top 3 spot.
While The Lone Ranger made an early mistake in the same race but put in a handy effort after that. With a good trip in transit, he can pop up into a first 4 spot.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 9-12-1-2
Matt Cross 12-9-1-4
Dylan Ferguson 12-9-1-4
Suggested bet: Trifecta 9,12/9,12/1,2,4,10
Race 7 [3:13pm] |
SOVEREIGNTY 3YO RUBY TROT |
It should just be a turn up and win job here for a top line trotter in the making, Marcoola, trained by West Melton trainer Ken Ford and driven by son Clint.
The son of Sundon has been dominate in the 3yo trotting ranks this season, with connections even turning down large, life changing offers.
The TAB have him $1.15 FF and from the barrier draw of 5, you would expect Clint to roll forward and find the front. No one will be silly enough to try and park him out and Clint will be able to cruise to the front. When he lets this stunning colt go at the top of the straight, all the rest of this field will see is the back of Clint Ford’s helmet.
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 5-1-3-6
Matt Cross 5-3-6-13
Dylan Ferguson 5-6-1-10
Suggested bet: First 4 – 5/1,3,6/1,3,6,13/1,3,6,9,10,13
Race 8 [3:48pm] |
NRM ASSET 4YO EMERALD |
What a field of 4yo colt's and gelding's we have here, given extra interest with the only Australian invitee My Kiwi Mate.
Titan Banner on top for me, he opened a staggering $26 in the futures market opened by the NZ TAB. After a defeat and a victory over Christen Me, his quote is now $2.90 FF, even after he was throw barrier 8 to work from. Even though he will have to do a stack of work, I won’t be surprised to see him out toughing most of the field and winning.
Field Marshal is the obvious inclusion after drawing beautifully in barrier 1, with the services of Dexter Dunn; he will look to continue on his picket fence line form with another feature win. $1.65 FF
Selections:
Andrew Fitzgerald 8-1-5-2
Matt Cross 1-8-5-2
Dylan Ferguson 1-10-8-5
Suggested bet: First 4 – 1,8/1,5,8/1,2,5,8,10/1,2,3,5,8,9,10
Race 9 [4:28pm] |
SWEET LOU AT WOODLANDS 3YO EMERALD |
What a way to finish the day off, with a hugely talented bunch of 3yo colts and geldings.
Classie Brigade finds himself at the top of my list, I expect him to improve off his last run even from a tricky draw. The draw might work out okay if he can follow Heaven Rocks across and then receive some cover then I think he offers great value.
We have seen Heaven Rocks beat most of this field before, but his manners are a huge problem and I just can’t consider taking the $1.95 on offer for a horse who could either gallop behind the gate or into the first bend.
Selections
Andrew Fitzgerald 6-7-4-1
Matt Cross 7-5-4-6
Dylan Ferguson 5-6-9-7
Suggested bet: Classie Brigade Each way/ Trifecta – 6,7/4,5,6,7/1,4,5,6,7
Andrew Fitzgerald