Racing: No Australians guaranteed

Isaiah will be one of the leading hopes for the NZ Derby after drawing well. Photo / Natalie Slade

But Emma Stewart is keen to bring stable star over to chase Harness Jewels riches.

Kiwi fears of a Harness Jewels takeover by Australians look set to be woefully misplaced.

When HRNZ announced last year it would invite the leading Australian contender to contest each of the nine divisions of the Jewels the outcry from some sectors of the New Zealand industry was beyond belief.

After years of our leading horses being invited into Australia's main races, and bringing millions back across the Tasman, some New Zealand trainers and media carried on like the idea of Australians coming here would be the end of life as we know it.

So they will be happy to know only one of the first three horses invited to the May 31 meeting at Cambridge is likely to take up the invite.

HRNZ, working in unison for Harness Racing Australia, have invited Guaranteed (male pacer), Frith (female pacer) and Blitzthemcalder (trotter) in the 4-year-old division but only Guaranteed seems any chance of making the trip.

He is clearly Australia's best 4-year-old male pacer after a breathtaking win in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle last month. "I'd say he is a big chance of being there," said trainer Emma Stewart last night.

Frith would be a serious threat to Adore Me in the 4-year-old mares race but her connections are concerned about the Jewels being so close to her local Breeders series, while Blitzthemcalder has struggled for consistency all season.

With his lack of manners and the fact the local 4-year-old trot boasts incredible depth headed by Royal Aspirations and Prime Power, the big Aussie is a very unlikely starter.

HRNZ boss Edward Rennell says they only want to invite the best Australians and if they don't come so be it. "Next year we might look at putting together a short-list and inviting the horses most likely to want to come.

"But being the first year we wanted to invite the best in each division and we understand some of them have other commitments."

If Guaranteed doesn't come HRNZ reserves the right to invite speed sensation Chilli Palmer, who is likely to come to Alexandra Park for the Taylor Mile and Messenger three weeks before the Jewels.

The Jewels is more likely to attract Australians in the 2- and 3-year-old male pacing divisions, with the connections of leading hopes Padrisimo (2YO) and Bling It On (3YO) indicating they are keen.

Australian involvement in the Jewels is seen as crucial to growing the series which, while a huge bonus for the industry, has developed little since its inception.

Meanwhile, leading 3-year-old Tiger Tara faces a horror draw in Friday's NZ Derby as he looks for his third group one of the season.

The Sires' Stakes and Northern Derby winner will start from one on the second line in the Addington classic, with key rivals Locharburn and Isaiah drawn the front line.

The meeting has lost the $40,000 Superstars Championship after it attracted only four nominations, forcing Adore Me to start off a 40m handicap in an intermediate grade pace as her lead-up to next week's Easter Cup.

Star 3-year-old trotters Thebestlove, Majestic Time and One Over Da Moon clash in the Trotting Derby, while the elite trotters meet in the $80,000 NZ Trotting Champs and the juvenile pacers in the Welcome Stakes.