That was Tuesday’s Renwick Farms Dominion with Jilliby Ballerini (Majestic son) after the Australian mare was soundly defeated in almost a case of friendly fire.
Lee rode the perfect race early on to secure the course behind fellow Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix and a lap from home he couldn’t believe his luck.
Things changed quickly.
Queensland trotter Gus attacked in the straight and Arcee Phoenix picked a bad day to have a bad day as he stopped like he was shot in the 600 meters and Jilliby Ballerini powered back through the field before rallying to run a brave fourth.
“I was quite gutted because it had all gone so well early on and you wouldn’t think old Arcee would let you down,” says Lee.
“It was just one of those things: he had a bad day and it cost us too.”
If there’s a silver lining to that cloud, it’s that Jilliby Ballerini never fully stretched out after Lee’s early cornering saw her handle her first start at 3200m well, so she heads to the more appropriate 1980m mobile of Friday’s Azap Electrical NZ Trotting Free-For-All a happy horse rather than in recovery mode.
“You would think this race would suit her better,” says Lee.
“She got through Tuesday well, so she should get her chance on Friday.”
Jilliby Ballerini should be able to follow potential early leader Muscle Mountain to become handy or even take the lead today and she’ll be able to take a beating, but her opening quote of $1.75 looks a little thin.
Bet N Win, who started from the second row on Tuesday, and fellow hard-luck stories Mighty Logan and Oscar Bonavena can all win, but perhaps the most surprising prize on the market belongs to Tuesday’s Dominion winner Gus.
He was stunning with even more to spare on Tuesday and there’s no reason he can’t win again, so his final field price of $8.50 looks enticing.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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