Harness Racing New Zealand was criticised by some local trainers for opening up the Jewels to one Australian invitee in each of the nine divisions, but those fears are fading with only two or three starters likely.
HRNZ has left the invites to Harness Racing Australia with the proviso that the best in each age group be invited and if they do not want to come, no secondary invite be issued.
That was partially in response to the industry criticism, to ease the new concept in. Next season HRNZ is more likely to lobby trainers and see who out of a shortlist is most likely to make the trip. So while there are likely to be two or three Australian starters this year, those numbers could double next season.
Exceptional 4-year-old Guaranteed is aiming to come and would be the early favourite for the 4-year-old male pace after a stunning win over some of New Zealand's best in the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire in March. He returned to the trials at Ballarat on Saturday and is expected to head into the Jewels fresh.
Padrisimo's trainer Gath isn't letting superstar New Zealand colt Follow The Stars scare him away from the juvenile male pace.
"We have had a good look at him here in Victoria and he [Follow The Stars] is very, very good," said Gath.
"But we aren't scared to take on a challenge so unless my fella gets sick or something we will be there."
The connections of top 3-year-old Bling It On will turn down his invite as will those of 3-year-old trotter Claudy's Princess.
But champion NSW trainer Luke McCarthy is seriously considering the invitation for his juvenile pacing filly Bamako Mali, who looks an ideal Cambridge type. The final two invites, for 3-year-old pacing filly and 2-year-old trotter, will be issued after racing this weekend, allowing the New Zealand TAB to open its futures markets.
Meanwhile, the absence of champion mare Adore Me from Friday night's Messenger Championship has made stablemate Border Control's quest for a Jewels spot this week slightly easier.
Adore Me is being allowed to miss this race after three record runs in a month but Border Control will be the major addition for Friday's field from that which contested the Taylor Mile last week.
Because he has raced in Australia this season, Border Control needs at least a second placing on Friday to push him into the top 12 who are invited to the Jewels.
Another of Friday's four group one races, the Rowe Cup, has been boosted by the late entry of King Of Strathfield, who bolted in at Addington last Friday.
Money month
• Four more Australians have been invited to the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on May 31.
• One is certain to come, one possible and two unlikely.
• The final major northern lead-up to that meeting is the rich Rowe Cup night at Alexandra Park this Friday.
• Friday's meeting contains four group ones.
