Draws add to puzzle in Silk Road final at Invercargill today

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Where the main chances settle in the running of the Diamond Creek Farm and SBSR Silk Road Series Final is anyone’s guess.

At least, that’s the feeling among the camps of several of the favourite runners ahead of the feature event at Ascot Park on Thursday (3.54pm).

Francent ($1.65FF) is set to start a warm favourite in the mares’ event after a dominant heat win at Winton for trainer Mark Jones.

The four-year-old must start from the outside of the front row under the feature event’s preferential draw, which means she could end up at either end of the field during the running for driver Samantha Ottley.

“The 8 draw at Invercargill over 2200m is never easy, but she is versatile,” Jones said.

“She has gate speed and she can do a bit of work, so it will be up to Sam to see how things pan out.”

While the running of Thursday’s race is beyond Jones’ control, he feels he has his mare in the right shape ahead of her southern tilt.

“This series is a nice opportunity for her — she probably showed that in her heat win at Winton.”

“I was happy enough with her last start at Addington.”

“Initially, I thought she could have run on a length or so better, but in saying that, she will be better for the run.”

“Hopefully she is ready to go a pretty good race on Thursday.”

Where Mallory Maguire settles in the running looks equally mysterious ahead of Thursday’s feature.

The winner of the final heat of the series has drawn barrier 1 on the second row for trainer Alister Black and driver Nathan Williamson.

The comeback pacer follows out a rough hope in Classee, who ran a cheeky third behind her at Ascot Park last week.

Haley Jaccka heads into the Silk Road Series Final after a narrow second behind Mallory Maguire in her last start.

The four-year-old has drawn barrier 3 on the second row, following out an outsider in Aint No Angel.

Trainer Brett Gray is hopeful that draw turns out to be a workable one for his mare, who again combines with driver Brent Barclay.

“Hopefully the draw will pan out OK for her,” Gray said.

“She has had two runs back after a bit of a freshen-up, and she’s better for having them.”

“Her work this week has been sharp, and I think she’ll go a nice race.”

Gray has a two-pronged attack on the Silk Road Series Final with Always Ticking, who charged home from last on the home turn to run fourth behind Mallory Maguire in last week’s heat.

Gray is also hopeful that barrier 6 could be a reasonable draw for the mare.

“She has probably drawn the best of the better chances,” Gray said.

“Her last run was great and her work since has been good too — she’s a handy chance if she gets any luck.”

Starting from barrier 2 on the second row, Remission is also among the top five favourites for the Silk Road Series Final, alongside Francent, Mallory Maguire, Haley Jaccka, and Always Ticking.

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