Smith’s grit gets best reward in Harness Jewels

Drivers are praised for many attributes when winning Group I races but mental toughness is not usually high on the list.

By his own admission, Gavin Smith was in no state to drive Sunny Ruby to a stunning upset in the 3-year-old Ruby in the Harness Jewels on Saturday.

For Smith it was 45 minutes of agony to ecstasy. The training effort of Fred Fletcher and Sunny Ruby’s part owner, Sam Smolenski, just to get the filly to the Jewels was worthy of celebration.

In the previous race, Smith drove the Phil Burrows-trained Gracious Star in the 4-year-old Diamond but the four-win mare broke down.

An examination revealed Gracious Star had multiple fractures to her right front pastern and she was humanely euthanised.

‘‘They are really nice people the guys that own her and they really loved her, so it’s such a shame,’’ Smith said.

He cut a dejected figure walking back to the stables and driving Sunny Ruby was the last thing on his mind. But Smith knew he had to get the job done for the connections of Sunny Ruby.

‘‘I was still away with the fairies when we went out but once we did get out, she bolted on me and it was probably a good thing as it woke me up and got me back in the right state,’’ Smith said.

The credit for the win needed to be put squarely on the shoulders of Fletcher and grandson Smolenski, Smith said. ‘‘They’ve been very dedicated and to get her here in a state to go 1.54 with no racing for a month and missing about 10 days’ work – it’s a very good effort.’’

Sunny Ruby trotted the 1609 metres in 1:54.7, beating Pocaro’s previous fillies’ record of 1:57.5 and Prime Power’s allcomers record of 1:56.5.

Two weeks ago Sunny Ruby’s chances of contesting the Jewels were almost non-existent.

‘‘She got crook after her last race at Rangiora,’’ Smolenski said.

‘‘Two weeks ago she was coughing and we didn’t know if she would start. We’ve only just got her right. She’s just such a natural athlete we got her blood done and she was still fit, so we just pressed on,’’ Smolenski said.

He recently gave up driving the Sundon filly to concentrate on helping his grandfather with the training. Smolenski said Sunny Ruby’s performance was very rewarding and he heaped praise on Fletcher who picked up his third Jewels win with a juvenile trotter after Jinja Gal won the 2-year-old Ruby in 2009 and Royal Aspirations picked up the same race in 2012.

‘‘It’s really good to win for Sam and Maree [Smolenski’s wife] who are good friends,’’ Smith said.

‘‘I know they are really excited and they have turned down a bit of money for her which is a big call at their age so it’s great that a race like this can come along and repay the faith that they have put in her.’’