Racing: 3yo male pace will be a stunner at Jewels

Jim Curtin drives Terror To Love to victory.

The 3-year-old male pace has emerged as the highlight of the Jewels meeting at Cambridge next Saturday after yesterday's barrier draws.

And its outcome could decide the Horse of the Year title for that age group as well.

In a division that contains five group one winners this season, Woodlands Derby winner Ideal Scott has drawn barrier two with NSW Derby winner Smolda at three and Sires' Stakes winner Texican at seven.

With Australian visitor Scandalman drawn the second line and NZ Derby winner Fly Like An Eagle the front, the race will be a stunner, with victory for either Smolda or Ideal Scott almost certain to earn them 3-year-old pacing honours.

While the 3-year-old pace will be the high point of the $1.2 million day, several other Jewels races may have been decided by the draws.

Bettor Cover Lover will start the hottest favourite of the day after drawing barrier five in the 4-year-old mares pace, with her main danger Southwind Arden getting the worst possible draw at nine.

Terror To Love could start odds-on in the 4-year-old male pace after getting barrier two, with arch-rival Gold Ace drawn 10.

Another pre-post favourite to cop a poor draw is Alta Christiano, who gets 10 in the male juvenile pace, with Five Card Draw (5) and Border Control (6) well placed.

The Phil Williamson-trained pair of Springbank Sam (4) and Irish Whisper (7) have the advantage over hot pre-draw favourite Thanesan (12) in the 4-year-old trot.

The 3-year-old fillies pace has seen group one winners and early favourites Twist And Twirl (12) and Cheer The Lady (13) draw poorly, with O Baby (3) set to be the new favourite along with Elusive Chick (5).

In the 2-year-old fillies pace Opulent (3) and Pepper Potts (1) get the gun draws while Onlyforyou will start from the second line.

Paramount Queen (4) and Royal Aspirations (2) were the winners in the draws for the 2-year-old trot.

The new, final field, markets for the Jewels will open around 1pm tomorrow after the final public workouts at Cambridge.