Racing: Bookies face major payout

Just Cala (No 8) will increase Australian interest in the Harness Jewels on May 30. Photo / Stuart McCormick

Those punters astute enough to take the $5.50 about ‘Any Other Runner’ are smiling

Sky Major's epic Messenger win has left bookies and punters facing a rarity heading into the final countdown to win places in the Harness Jewels.

Now the superstar 4-year-old has guaranteed his spot at the Jewels at Ashburton on May 30 he is favourite for his division, even though he isn't actually listed in the market.

The TAB bowed to demand and opened markets on the 3 and 4-year-old Jewels races a month ago, listing the top six horses in each division based on stakes won at the time, as well as an "Any Other Runner" category to cover any longer odds runners or horses who were yet to qualify.

The idea worked for the other five races opened as the favourites in each still hold top billing, but with Sky Major emerging from nowhere to qualify for the Jewels the "Any Other Runner" option is now $1.85 to win the 4-year-old male pacing division.

That is after opening at $5.50, meaning the bookies could be in for some punishment if Sky Major goes on to become a three-time Jewels winner.

While all hope is not yet lost for the bookies, they do have the sobering thought that Sky Major was able to sit parked and win the Chariots of Fire at Menangle on March 1, in what was at least as strong a field as he will meet at Ashburton.

While Friday's last-stride win was almost his final chance to qualify for the Jewels because of a lack of suitable lead-up races with enough stake money before the May 17 cutoff, trainer Barry Purdon is now eyeing a 1700m preferential draw race for him at Alexandra Park next week.

"The pressure is off now so even though he will draw poorly in that race he will need it to keep his fitness up," says Purdon. "I am thrilled to get him into the Jewels because he deserves his shot at a third win."

Purdon's Jewels team is looking deep, with Start Dreaming the big mover in the 3-year-old fillies pace, into $4.20 third favouritism after three outstanding Alexandra Park wins.

The latest of those came when she thrashed group one-winning stablemate Democrat Party last Friday night.

"She is a good filly, they both are, but because she started racing later Start Dreaming has kept improving."

They have assignments at Addington next month in the NZ Oaks, but Start Dreaming will miss the Nevele R Fillies Final.

"But she is eligible for the Breeders Crown in Australia and being a late starter that would be a good aim for her," says Purdon.

While Purdon has all but qualified three 4-year-old mares for their $150,000 final in Lancewood Lizzie, Aliante and Asuka, he is running out of time for last season's Oaks winner, Ideal Belle.

She still needs about $13,000 to make the final from only two possible starts before the deadline.

One mare who will be in that 4-year-old division is Just Cala, who left New Zealand last season a battler but will return a group one winner.

The speedster, who is trained in Victoria by Amanda Turnbull, won last season's Breeders Crown at Melton and was so brilliant winning there again last Friday she has secured the Australian invite to that division.

Her connections have accepted, bringing the number of Australians confirmed for the Jewels to four with a 3-year-old pacer set to be invited next week.

Still, Australian representation in the trotting divisions is harder to attract because of the strength of the locals and the clash with the NSW Trotting Derby.