Racing: Aussies feel Jewels day hype

Cala (8) is one of the Aussies giving it their best shot today. Photo / Stuart McCormick

TAB even giving a special bet option of whether any horse wearing the Australian green colours will win a race today.

The Australians may not break their Jewels duck at Ashburton today but they will keep returning until they do.

That is the opinion of talented Victorian reinsman Nathan Jack, who will have his first Jewels drive behind Glenferrie Bronte in the 3-year-old Diamond at today's $1.2 million meeting.

The filly is one of five Australian invitations to the meeting, with Messini having since rejoined the Purdon-Rasmussen stable since he was invited, also out of Victoria. No Australian-trained horse has won a Jewels race in the day's eight-year history.

Quasi-Aussie pacer Messini and Salty Robyn are the only two Australian pacers rated under $10 chances by the TAB bookies, with the TAB even giving a special bet option of whether any horse wearing the Australian green colours will win a race today. The favoured option is "No" at $1.20.

Jack and his partner Amanda Turnbull also bring Just Cala to today's meeting and say the pair's chances are probably on a par.

"They are both good enough to go big races and are drawn to be handy, which will help," says Jack.

"But they are also drawn outside good horses. Glenferrie Bronte is outside The Orange Agent, who will probably lead and be the toughest to beat.

"Whereas Just Cala (who races as Cala in New Zealand) has a good barrier but I'd really love to be able to sneak behind Lancewood Lizzie if she leads.

"So, marginally, I'd say Just Cala was our best chance."

With Messini facing a tough barrier, Burnaholeinmypocket (3-year-old male pace) a worse one and Salty Robyn yet to suggest he can down Chase The Dream in their two meetings, the Australians might all be running for place money at best.

However, Jack says there is nowhere else he would rather be.

"We knew coming over here it would be hard to win, maybe even impossible now," he says.

"But I'd hate to be at home watching, because these are the days you work for.

"The hype and build-up has been huge since we got here and no doubt people over home are a lot more aware of it now.

"I am not sure if any of us will win this time.

"But I know there will be owners and trainers back home who start thinking about the Jewels earlier from now on and the Aussies will definitely keep coming."

Extending Australian interest in the series was targeted by HRNZ two years ago as they looked for a way to expand the Jewels without spending extra money.

It has clearly worked, with the media coverage in Australia larger than for any other New Zealand raceday of either code this season, with the Jewels figuring prominently on Sky TV, leading coverage in Australia's largest harness racing paper and dominating radio and print media space that would usually go to local harness meetings.

That can only have a positive effect on turnover and if Jack is right and today increases future Australian interest, then the Jewels is a step closer to the Breeders Crown as the premier Australasian raceday for young horses.