Racing: Awapuni victory deserved

Dave Haworth reckons he deserves to win today's $40,000 Feilding Hotel Anzac 1600m at Awapuni with Jurys Out.

Jurys Out has won $58,439, a fair bit less than half what the talented galloper might have picked up if luck had not more often than not been against him.

"We've spent a lot of money on this horse," says co-owner and co-trainer Dave Haworth. "We've had to bring him back from injury quite a few times and we've never been able to string a proper campaign together."

This time might be different. Jurys Out has won both his starts this campaign, the last by nearly four lengths at Tauranga in the manner of a horse finally going places.

He has to jump from PQ class to open company today, but this looks like a field he can manage.

Jurys Out does not like heavy footing, but neither can he handle hard tracks. The weather this weekend should see the Awapuni surface come up with just the right level of yield for the horse.

"Even a bit more rain wouldn't hurt him," says Haworth.

Because of injury and bad luck, Haworth has never been able to make long term plans for Jurys Out, but this time he's looking further ahead with the 6-year-old.

"I hope he wins this race because I want to give him another 1600m then step him up to 2000m. The way he relaxes and races on the speed, I reckon he'll be a terrific 2000m horse."

From the No 2 barrier draw Jurys Out should sit on the speed today and if the track is allowing horses to establish a sprint early in the home straight, Jurys Out should be able to work away from the opposition.

"I'll look at ducking him across the Tasman when our tracks get too wet. He could go to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, depending on where the weather is most suitable."