Last chance for Jewels hope
Steven Reid knows he’s taking a gamble but an impressive workout at Pukekohe last Saturday has convinced the Franklin conditioner to take Star Galleria south to try and qualify him for the Harness Jewels.
Star Galleria and Tony Herlihy (MNZM) will start from gate four in Friday’s Sophomore Classic for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on New Zealand Oaks night at Addington on Friday.
The Listed 1950m mobile is worth $40,000 and Reid knows he is going to have to finish in the first two to qualify for the Group I $150,000 three-year-old Emerald at Ashburton Raceway on June 3.
Star Galleria is currently ranked 21 and has earned $23,675 this season. He needs another $8,711 to make the 12-strong final.
‘‘It’s a bit of a punt. He went so well at the workouts on Saturday I just had to give him his chance to line up against the best. I honestly think he’s a very good three-yearold and at his best would hold his own against the guns,’’ Reid said.
Six months ago Reid would have given him little chance of heading south. The Art Major gelding kicked out at a gate and suffered serious leg injuries.
‘‘He suffered a massive hole in his leg and I actually thought that might be his career all over before it hardly started. The vet told me if the hole had been three or four inches lower on the hock that would have been the end of him ever racing again.
Star Galleria and Reid trailed Alta Intrigue for most of Saturday’s left handed R64 to R77 workout. In the lane they strolled passed the pace-maker to win by half a length under a hold.
That was a pretty nice win and showed me that he’s back. He was once exceptional in work but it’s taken him a long time after his injury to get back to where he should be.
It won’t be easy but he is one of the better three-year-old’s I have ever put a bridle on and he feels like the old Star Galleria again,’’ Reid said.
If he doesn’t finish in the first two on Friday, Reid said he would bring the gelding home and then possibly look at the Queensland Derby in Brisbane in July.
Star Galleria has raced six times this season for two wins. His career record stands at three wins from seven starts for $34,44 in stakes.
Last week’s Nevele R Fillies final winner Spanish Armada is a $2.20 favourite to do the Group I double in the $150,000 New Zealand Oaks on Friday night.