Genius Melbourne jumps jockey Steve Pateman is desperate to win Ellerslie's Great Northern Steeplechase but yesterday he might have done his chances considerable harm.

The record season of New Zealand racing's most exciting youngster has come to a shock end even after he carried punters through at the Harness Jewels.

The Orange Agent's biggest fan isn't sure whether her supersonic times reflect how special she is or how far harness racing has come.

The two greatest influences in Zac Butcher's career helped guide him to a historic Jewels double on Saturday.

Rosehill horseman Chris Waller was hailed as a genius but modesty kept the trainer from accepting the credit for Winx making a one-act affair of the Queensland Oaks at Doomben.

Two elements characterise the Autridge family - horsemanship and humour.

Kiwi galloper Werther is almost certain to start a short-priced favourite in the Queensland Derby on Saturday.

Trainer Ben Foote is less worried about the eight months since Amanood Lad last raced as he is about the 70kg topweight in today's $50,000 Rheem McGregor Grant Steeplechase.

The Smithies bred both Platinum Witness and No Tricks to go into the fillies' classic two-handed and the Karapiro couple will be on track at Doomben today to cheer the pair on.

Allan Sharrock has Hover in prime condition to tackle the opening leg of a Wanganui stakes double.

Racing's most common question will be replaced by a slightly more complex one at today's $1.2 million Jewels meeting at Ashburton.

There are no jumping races at Ellerslie today - wait until Monday for those - but there is still a hurdle to be cleared.

TAB even giving a special bet option of whether any horse wearing the Australian green colours will win a race today.

A seventh placing two starts ago has convinced Stephen Doody the Central Districts can record its first Harness Jewels win with Te Kawau on Saturday.

If you think the TAB's odds-on quote for The Orange Agent to win one of the glamour races of Jewels Day is a bit short, think again.

Two champions of this racing season will be seen again around the traps in the next few weeks, but neither will be appearing on New Zealand tracks.

Don't drop New Zealand 3-year-old Harry from calculations for the Queensland Derby says world-class jockey Zac Purton despite.

Trainer Chris Waller's attention to detail helped him plot a first-up win for Boban in the A$750,000 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.

Matamata filly Secret Spirit showed the truth in that axiom when she ploughed through a rain-soaked Ellerslie to take Saturday's Graeme Thomson Great Northern Foal Stakes.

It's been nearly 20 years since Sue Walsh campaigned a horse in Australia, but she's hoping Exquisite Jewel's trip to the Brisbane Winter Carnival can be just as fruitful.

Training champ Mark Purdon has good news for the bookies dreading another big payout on Have Faith In Me at the Jewels on Saturday week.

Topline Melbourne trainer Mick Price has given former Wanganui apprentice Michael Dee the greatest seal of approval possible, and it is out of character.

Venus Serena is a powerful step closer to a unique place in Harness Jewels history.

If a track is a genuine heavy 11 and then becomes five grades worse - which Awapuni did - then why can't that be assessed on an open-ended scale?

Galaktika, in Race 11, looks close to the best prospect on a card that has a number of interesting betting contests.

If American Pharoah is going to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.