KEY POINTS:
The North Island's most in-form trainer should resume where he left off at Alexandra Park tonight.
Gareth Dixon had a weekend to treasure last week, with Lizzie Maguire giving him the richest win of his career at the Harness Jewels while he also trained three winners closer to
home.
While there will be nothing quite as glamorous as the Jewels at Alexandra Park tonight, Dixon will still line up one of his stable stars and he should be the certainty of the night.
Ebony Gem is one of New Zealand's best 3-year-old pacers and would have been at the Jewels last Saturday had it not been for a summer virus which ruined the second half of his season.
Before that struck he was good enough to finish third to Changeover in the Sires' Stakes Final at Addington, beating home Gotta Go Cullen.
He returned to something like that form last Friday when he sat parked before cruising to victory in a one-win race, a victory which was penalty-free under the 3-year-old handicapping conditions.
So against a similar field from a good draw he looks unbeatable tonight.
"You never want to say they are good things but really he should be too good for these horses," said Dixon.
"He has the gate speed and I am sure he will lead.
"He came through last week's win really well and I think he is back to his best.
"So I'll be surprised if he gets beaten."
Ebony Gem will be driven by the stable's junior driver Anna Stormont, who has been one of the finds of the northern junior ranks, showing rare patience so early in her career.
She won't need that tonight though as Ebony Gem should work straight to the lead and win easily.
Dixon is also happy with the return to form of Mr Ricky, who after a short campaign earlier in the season returned with a win last Friday. He contests race two tonight.
"That was a good performance and I have always liked him but I can't believe we have struck a field like this one in June."
Dixon is referring to meeting unbeaten gelding Ohoka Rebel, who has won four races.
"I have been impressed every time I have seen him, whether it was at the races or the workouts, and it would take something special to beat him this week.
"But Mr Ricky is definitely worth following over the winter."
Ohoka Rebel is another horse to have taken advantage of the 3-year-old concessions and should further extend trainers David and Catherine Butt's lead in the premiership, which they are now certain to win for the third time.
Dixon's other starter tonight is The Daisy, who was a fighting second in a fast time last Friday.
"She was attacked last week but stuck on well for second and went around in 2:43 for 2200m, so she won't be long picking a win up.
"There are a couple of smart ones in there this week, with Presidential Belle probably the one to beat."
Meanwhile, Lizzie Maguire left Dixon shaking his head when she rolled off the transporter on Tuesday.
"She arrived home looking like she hadn't even had a race or a long trip home," said Dixon.
"That is a huge bonus for her, especially as we are looking at the Breeders Crown in Australia in August.
"Knowing she can cop the travelling and racing makes a trip like that far more realistic."
Lizzie Maguire is now spelling for 10 days before preparing for her Breeders Crown heat, which could well be a walkover, with most of the top juveniles fillies finished for the season.
Jewels To Gem
* Ebony Gem missed last Saturday's Harness Jewels after an interrupted season.
* But he bounced back to winning form at Alexandra Park last Friday.
* He should repeat that in the first race tonight.
* The meeting has just eight races, with Pick6 starting early at 7.25pm.