KEY POINTS:
Top Tempo could be the first big Harness Jewels winner this year - even though she didn't make the cut for the series.
The former age group star has had a stuttering season after a series of small problems but has returned to her best in the last month, although too late to make the Jewels on her home track next Saturday.
But driver Gavin Smith says Top Tempo could profit from the Jewels in tonight's $30,000 Powell Transport Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park.
"We thought the field might be a bit stronger but I suppose a lot of the top mares her age are waiting for the Jewels and don't want to have a hard 2700m this week," said Smith.
"That suits us fine and really we couldn't be happier with her going into the race."
Top Tempo has won two of her last four - both with storming late runs - and in between raced in the Taylor Mile.
She flew home again for third at Cambridge last week and looks ideally placed tonight.
Because she is still learning about standing starts, Top Tempo will be suited by starting alone on the 20m mark, which often helps inexperienced horses step away safely.
"I think she is best driven for one run at them and the small field should mean we get that chance. She is going to be hard to beat," said Smith.
Everlaughing Life, who has her first standing start tonight, and Sweet Courage, who faces a 40m handicap, look obvious dangers.
Smith has four other drives tonight, continuing a better first season in the north than he expected.
Last season's champion junior driver thought he may struggle for regular drives until bosses Graeme Rogerson and Peter Simpson's stable was into its third or even fourth season.
"But I have had really good support from outside trainers and I am thrilled with how it is going."
While Top Tempo won't be at the Jewels, the stable has the favourite in the juvenile trot, Muscle And Power.
He has won both his starts in small fields and so happy are his connections they don't feel the need to give him more experience at the trials before next week's $100,000 event.
Muscle And Power has been one of the plunge horses of the Jewels, with a $5000 bet placed at $6.50.
* The all-important barrier draws for the nine Jewels races will be made available at noon today on www.hrnz.co.nz.
