Racing: Jewel to sparkle with pet jockey

Jason Laking

Jason Laking is back aboard The Jewel in the Timaru Cup today, renewing a successful association.

Laking has ridden The Jewel in seven of her 11 wins. They combined to win the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton, the Dunedin Guineas and Southland Guineas in the 2002-03 season.

Laking was then apprenticed to Hec Anderton, the Wingatui co-trainer of The Jewel with his son Steve.

Laking shifted to Christchurch when he completed his time.

He rode The Jewel to win her first two starts last season but Leith Innes was aboard the mare when she won the International Stakes at Te Rapa.

Laking last rode The Jewel when she finished fifth in the Canterbury Gold Cup in April.

Jamie Bullard rode The Jewel in her campaign at Hastings in the spring.

But she did not feature and went for a spell after finishing eighth in the Kelt Stakes on October 1.

She had a break at Woodlands on the property of her owners, the Dennis brothers.

They brought her back into work before she rejoined the Anderton stable.

Laking has been back at Wingatui for the past month on a temporary basis and has been riding The Jewel during his time back in the south.

She has thrived and she will be out to extend her good record fresh up.

"She is pretty laid back," Laking said.

Her owners won the Timaru Cup in 1981 and 1982 with The Dimple, the granddam of The Jewel.

They also won the race in 1980 with The Twinkle, a half sister to The Dimple.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES