Tens of thousands of dollars will be bet on Hayden Cullen’s Harness Jewels runners, and the good news for punters ready to pile in, is that the team is ready to fire.
Cullen will start a team of 16 fit and ready horses from a range of barrier draws on the return of the highly anticipated raceday.
Though some key runners are stuck out in tricky draws, the way Natalie Rasmussen has been weaving her magic in the sulky means that they may prove just a minor inconvenience.
Cullen hopes that is the case for star filly Bettor Twist in the 3YO Diamond.
Drawing barrier 8 on the outside of the front line gives her main rival in La Rosa, who starts from barrier 3, an advantage.
With Bettor Twist primed to run a huge race, Cullen is relying on that Rasmussen magic.
“Bettor Twist is really on top of her game,” Cullen said. “She feels really sharp in her work, she is really well.
“The draws haven’t played out for her, but they have for La Rosa. You would think it is her race to lose.
“Sitting parked doesn’t bother Bettor Twist and she is obviously going to have to get there at some stage of the race.
“You would think La Rosa would go 1:53 around Cambridge easily enough, it is just going to be how hard our filly will have to work to get outside her.”
Rasmussen doesn’t have such a complicated task behind True Fantasy who starts from barrier 3 in the 2YO Diamond.
Cullen goes into the race thrilled with the filly following her surprise defeat behind Cover Girl in last month’s Harness Million at Alexandra Park.
“I think the other horse had a better run than her last time and it was the first time she’s had to work off the gate and sit outside them,” Cullen said.
“The winner had a sweet trip in the trail and just got her on the line. She is really working well and she should be pretty hard to beat.”
Cullen lines up four horses in the 2YO Diamond with True Fantasy rated well ahead of A Bettor You (2), Emmy (8) and Suntan (5).
A Bettor You looks a key player and a strong quinella option with True Fantasy from barrier 2.
While few will be able to get rich backing Bettor Twist or True Fantasy, Regal Attire could offer nice value in the 3YO Ruby.
Rated a big talent at two, the three-yearold had a slow start to the season after getting an infection after being gelded.
Regal Attire’s rise back to healthy and then peak form has coincided with his Harness Jewels tilt. And in another boost, he’s drawn barrier 2.
“He was a lot better last start and he has got a bit of gate speed there too,” Cullen said. “I thought if he found the markers, he would be a bit of a smokey.
“His work has really stepped up a lot, I am really happy with him.”
Another Cullen trotter has also drawn well in American Pride, who starts from barrier 1 in the 4YO Ruby.
Though less of a win threat, the trotter looks a solid place option.
“He has got a bit of bottom to it and the harder they go, the more he will like it. He is going to be a good chance from the draw.”
Cullen starts another hot favourite in Akuta in the 2YO Emerald.
Though there may not be as much between him and Cosmic Major (6) as many may think, Akuta (5) is the stable’s clear top chance.
“On their last two runs, you have to pick Akuta on top, but Cosmic Major is a neat wee horse too and he is working really well.
“You never know what might happen in these races, but you would definitely have to say Akuta deserves to be the top pick of our three.”
Cullen also starts Franco Mac in the race, who looks a place chance from barrier 3.
Cullen starts Pace N Pride (2), Shan Noble (7) and Samhara (12) in the 3YO Emerald.
Pace N Pride is drawn between two of the most talked-about horses ahead of the Harness Jewels, in terms of early tactics.
With B D Joe on his inner and Alta Wiseguy on his outer, the anticipated early tempo will either be a good thing or a bad thing for the noted-on pacer.
“He will run a good mile and he is working well, but I think it is going to be a tricky race.
“Alta Wiseguy has shown a lot of gate speed, it could work out good for us but could also work out bad.
“Whatever happens, he is going to go an honest race.”
Cullen rates both Shan Noble and Samhara as quality horses, but admitted they will need luck from their tricky draws.
The Rolleston trainer also starts Ellaria Sand (10) in the 2YO Ruby and Italian Lad (6) in the 4YO Emerald.
