Aussie invite likely for Harness Jewels return

Harness Racing New Zealand announced on Tuesday that 2016 2YO Ruby winner Custodian has been invited to return to Cambridge on June 2 for this year’s edition of the Harness Jewels.

Custodian’s Victorian trainer, Nathan Jack, confirmed his intentions to bring the horse, now four, back to its homeland in search of further Group 1 glory in the $125,000 4YO Ruby.

‘‘It has been the main aim all the way through (to get the Jewels) and all going well we’ll be there and give it our best shot," said Jack. Jack has been at the Jewels before with (Just) Cala and Glenferrie Bronte at Ashburton in 2015 and, despite not being successful, the trip did have its benefits.

‘‘We had a ball there and we learned a lot about what sort of horse we need. We were really well looked after and treated like royalty and that’s half the reason we are so keen to come back again.’’

Leading local contenders for the 4YO Ruby include Enghien, War Machine and Sertorius.

Meanwhile Barry Purdon has sent his exciting pacer On The Cards to the spelling paddock.

He was a brave fourth in the New Zealand Derby won by Sheriff at Addington on April 6 at his last start.

Purdon said he felt the horse had immense future potential and would benefit greatly from a spell rather than pushing on for the Harness Jewels, which is was two months away.

The Clevedon trainer has also turned out his stable star Jack’s Legend, who had not recovered in time from a viral cold to contest this week’s Group 1 Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park.