Racing: Glittering trio best anchors

Carabella, driven by Ricky May. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Three likely leaders, and therefore likely winners, should be the building blocks for punters attacking Jewels day at Ashburton today.

While Ashburton is one of the biggest tracks in the country and should provide even racing, it is still biased towards those racing handy, its downhill straight making it extremely hard for backrunners to make ground.

And that is never more evident than in the best races on Jewels day, with the mile distance meaning even one soft 400m sectional will see most races won by the leader or trailer.

Which means the three horses to base your bets around are Lancome (R1, No5), Carabella (R3, No6) and Gold Ace (R7, No4).

Carabella is virtually a certainty but is only $1.10 in fixed odds markets so including her in your multi bets is simply a matter of how badly you want to boost your final return, and whether you feel like a cheap thrill.

Lancome is the most logical bet all day. She has been racing in near open class fields and was fourth in the Messenger two starts ago. She is expected to lead and should win, with the $1.70 fixed odds a great price.

Look to Secret Potion (R12), Elysium (1) and Indulge (4) to help out your First4s.

Gold Ace might have won race seven when he drew inside arch rival Terror To Love and with his gate speed he should lead. It is hard to see his rivals running past him.

Flying Isa (R2, No2) should do the same in the juvenile trot, where Escapee (3) has been the big late improver and looks the only real danger.

The best race of the day should be the last, with the elite 4-year-old boys our next crop of open class stars.

There is huge hype over Pure Power (R9, No5) and he will benefit from a good draw and missing some of the gutbusting recent racing so can win. But the best bet is Gomeo Romeo (2).

He has the draw to lead or trail and loves a mile so is a top each way chance, with those investing heavily wise to at least save on Smiling Shard, who was, after all, the first Kiwi home in the Interdominion Final.

The 4-year-old trotters are a disappointing bunch so Vulcan (R4, No9) picks himself but the 3-year-olds in race six are a fine bunch.

Paramount Geegee (12) is the best of them but will be short so Springbank Sam (13) will provide some value, especially as his hard-running style is suited to the mile.

The 2-year-old pacing races will come down to who is weathering the taxing season best but Fly Like An Eagle (R8, No8) worked superbly on Wednesday morning so deserves favouritism.

His draw is not great but three of those drawn inside him are his stablemates so don't be surprised if he goes forward and still gets the lead.

Veste (R5, No4) has the draw in the fillies event but also has some chinks in her armour and Cowgirls N Indians (13) could be just the filly to expose them if she can secure the right cart into the race.

Jewels day

* New Zealand harness racing's richest day, with $1.2 million in stakes.

* The toughest races of the day will be contested by the 3- and 4-year-old male pacers.

* The hottest favourite is Carabella, at just $1.10 on the fixed odds.

* The racing starts at Ashburton at 11.25am.