It was good news for the glamour girls but not for many of the big boys when the Harness Jewels draws were made yesterday.
And that leaves punters with some very hot favourites as well as some tricky puzzles for the two-day, 12-race meeting at Ashburton next weekend.
The leading ladies of New Zealand harness racing all fared well, with Adore Me, Bettor Cover Lover, Venus Serena and Escapee all drawing to lead and dominate their races if on their best behaviour.
But some of the Jewels pre-draw male favourites will be market drifters after the likes of Springbank Sam (nine to start from nine), Blitzthemcalder (one on the second line) and Isaiah (eight) all drew tricky barriers, while wonder pacer Christen Me will have to start from the outside of the second line.
Even the pre-draw favourites who did secure good marbles, Ohoka Punter (3) and Terror To Love (3) in their respective divisions have plenty of key rivals with gate speed drawn around them, probably enough to deter punters from going crazy on them.