Tentative date set for 2021 Harness Jewels at Cambridge - if enough cash can be found
By Barry Lichter • 18 August 2020
The Harness Jewels could yet be resurrected with a date already earmarked for a 2021 series to be held in Cambridge.
Chief executive Phil Holden has revealed that Harness Racing New Zealand’s board is keen to run the Jewels again, after it was scrapped at Cambridge this year because of COVID-19.
A provisional nine race card has been set down for Sunday, June 6.
“The board wants to continue to provide some aspirational events for the industry,” says Holden.
“However, the ability to run the Jewels hinges on there being enough capacity in both code and club funding to support the event.”
Holden says it is hoped to make a decision in the next five to six weeks.
If the event goes ahead, it will be with lower stakes than in previous years, he said.
Six pacing races for $150,000 each and three trotting races for $125,000 were held when the Jewels was last run at Addington in 2019.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.53pm
“I was happy with his last run. He had to go back to last from the draw and when clear he ran home well. He just needs a bit of racing. He’s had only five starts, so the others have more ringcraft than him, but he could get some of it with the right trip.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
7.53pm
“She had to do too much work last time, parked for the last lap, but should get her chance from three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.26pm
“He overdid it again last week but we’re looking for some improvement on Friday. If things go his way he’s a chance to get some money but our other horse looks more likely.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
6.26pm
“He’s a lovely horse and I’m sure he’ll go another good race. He did well last week after that early break. Maurice was trying to let Greased Lightnin in but he’s a big horse who had other ideas and kept powering on. He just needs a bit of luck in the running.”
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
7.18pm
“He’s going honest races but he just lacked the big speed last week of horses like Greased Lightning and Seaclusion. Fergie said he had a job pulling him up. I can’t see anything beating Mantra Blue on Friday, even with a 15 metre head start, but Leo starts well and hopefully he can run a place.”
