By Michael Guerin
Jason Lee is trying to look on the bright side of the one that got away.
That was Tuesday’s Renwick Farms Dominion with Jilliby Ballerini after the Australian mare was a good thing beaten in almost a case of friendly fire.
Lee drove the perfect race early to secure the trail behind fellow Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix and a lap from home couldn’t believe his luck.
It soon changed.
Queensland trotter Gus attacked down the back straight and Arcee Phoenix picked a bad day to have a bad day, as he stopped like he was shot at the 600m and carted Jilliby Ballerini back through the field before she regathered herself to run a brave fourth.
“I was pretty gutted because it had all gone so well early and you wouldn’t think old Arcee would let you down,” says Lee.
“It was just one of those things, he had an off day and it costs us as well.”
If there is a silver lining to that cloud is it Jilliby Ballerini never got to be fully extended after Lee’s corners-cutting early has seen her handle her first 3200m start well so she heads to the more suitable 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 will suit her better,” says Lee.
“She has come through Tuesday well so she should get her chance on Friday.”
Jilliby Ballerini should be able to follow potential early leader Muscle Mountain across to get handy or even lead today and she will take a power of beating but her opening $1.75 quote looks a bit skinny.
Bet N Win, who started from the second line on Tuesday, and the other hard luck stories Mighty Logan and Oscar Bonavena can all win but perhaps the most surprising price in the market belongs to Tuesday’s Dominion winner Gus.
He was stunning with more left at the end on Tuesday and there is no reason he can’t win again so his $8.50 final field price looks enticing.
