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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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
