Racing: Jewels pressure off Alta Christiano

Alta Christiano has not drawn well on Saturday but that may not be a disaster as he should settle handy. Photo / APN

Blowing $400,000 worth of races in six days comes with some benefits.

For example, for the connections of Alta Christiano it means their exceptional colt goes into Saturday's $1.2 million Harness Jewels raceday at Cambridge under a lot less pressure.

Which isn't much of a consolation but after the month trainer Paul Kerr has had he will take what he can get.

Kerr could hardly control his excitement leading into the Sales Series Pace and Sires' Stakes Final at Addington earlier this month, having the favourite for two of our richest pacing races.

But bad draws and worse luck soon took the fun out of what should have been a golden week.

The horror show started when the previously unbeaten Alta Christiano was trapped three wide for the last lap of the $250,000 Sales Series, producing a run of the race third.

Then he galloped when in a tight corner in the Sires' Stakes Final and was out of the race.

"Really, things couldn't have gone much worse," admits Kerr. "But at least it means we are going into Saturday without the pressure on us.

"I said to Mitch [Kerr's son and driver] we shouldn't overthink things this week, just go down there and do the best we can.

"We are hoping it is third time lucky for the month."

Kerr takes solace from the fact that Alta Christiano has taken no mental scarring from his last-start gallop at Addington.

"It was just one of those things, he galloped and because he had never done it before he panicked.

"But he is good as gold in himself and I couldn't be happier with him. I'd just like a better draw."

Alta Christiano draws two on the second line again on Saturday but that may not be a disaster as he follows out a fast beginner and should settle handy in the running line.

"And I think they will go hard so we should get our chance.

"I am sure he will handle the track because he handled Forbury Park, running a 56 second last 800m down there so we don't have too many worries going in."

Five Card Draw is the deserved favourite for the 2-year-old division, after a brave second in the Sales Series and an all-the-way win in the Sires' Stakes. He is all but guaranteed the 2-year-old pacer of the year title and looks certain to lead for most of the mile on Saturday.

In other Jewels news, Cambridge harness racing's favourite son David Butcher has chosen to partner Jarcullembra instead of the more favoured Zenola Seelster in the male 4-year-old pace.

Jarcullembra was a last-start winner over Auckland Cup hero Sir Lincoln but Zenola Seelster is shorter in the markets because he is expected to trail likely leader Terror To Love.

Butcher shares top billing as the most successful driver in the five-year history of the Jewels, with both he and Mark Purdon having reined seven winners. Just behind them is Blair Orange on six winners, meaning between them the trio have driven 20 of the 45 Jewels winners.

THIRD TIME LUCKY?

* Alta Christiano has been luckless in $400,000 of races this month.
* He gets his shot at redemption in the Harness Jewels on Saturday.
* Trainer Paul Kerr says the colt has taken no harm from a last-start gallop.
* Mark Purdon and David Butcher are the most successful drivers in Jewels history.