True Fantasy (NZ) Perfectly Poised for Harness Jewels Success
4 June 2021
True Fantasy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) will lead a stellar line up of NZB Standardbred graduates set to dominate the $100,000 Group One Harwood Breeding Syndicate 2YO Diamond (1609m) at this weekend’s Harness Jewels.
From barrier 3 with driver Natalie Rasmussen, the Hayden Cullen trained filly looks set to add a third Group One title to her resume topping off an outstanding first season on the track.
True Fantasy was nabbed late in her gallant second behind fellow graduate Cover Girl (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in the $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Fillies Final (1700m) at Alexandra Park last month.
Barrier 3 looks a perfect draw for the standout filly, after being forced to work hard from the widest possible barrier in her last start.
“I think the other horse had a better run than her last time and it was the first time she’s had to work off the gate and sit outside them,” trainer Hayden Cullen said.
“The winner had a sweet trip in the trail and just got her on the line.
“She is really working well and she should be pretty hard to beat.”
True Fantasy will give prolific owner Jean Feiss the chance to secure yet another Harness Jewels title. Feiss purchased her for $70,000 from Studholme Bloodstock at the 2020 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.
The combination of trainers Barry and Scott Phelan and owner Dean Shannon are set to play a key hand in the 2YO Diamond at Cambridge Race Way on Sunday 6 June.
Montana Glory (NZ) (Always B Miki) has also been handed a sweet draw in barrier 4, alongside True Fantasy.
The two-year-old was gallant when running two Group One placings behind True Fantasy recently, both from tricky draws.
Zachary Butcher takes the reins behind Montana Glory with Scott Phelan to drive her stablemate Miki Montana (Always B Miki) (NZ).
Miki Montana looks a big chance of getting a beautiful run in the trail if, as expected, True Fantasy runs to the lead early in Sunday’s race.
Dance Till Dawn (NZ) (Art Major) follows Miki Montana out from barrier 1 on the second row.
If the driver John Dunn can find clear running for the Robert Dunn trained filly, she should make a big impact in the 2YO Diamond judging by her strong third placing behind Cover Girl and True Fantasy in the recent Harness Million Two-Year-Old Fillies Final.
Eight of the final field of 13 runners in the Group One feature are NZB Standardbred graduates.
The Group One Harwood Breeding Syndicate 2YO Diamond (1609m) will be run as Race 4 at 1:38pm on Sunday 6 June at Cambridge Raceway.
The Group One 2YO Diamond (Fillies) Field
| Barrier | Horse | Driver | Trainer | Sale | Purchaser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miki Montana | Scott Phelan | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | 2019 Auckland All Age Sale, $22,000 | Montana Park |
| 2 | A Bettor You | Mark Purdon | Hayden Cullen | ||
| 3 | True Fantasy | Natalie Rasmussen | Hayden Cullen | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $70,000 | Jean Feiss |
| 4 | Montana Glory | Zachary Butcher | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | 2019 Auckland All Age Sale, $24,000 | Montana Park |
| 5 | Suntan | Joshua Dickie | Hayden Cullen | ||
| 6 | Anna Love | Tim Williams | Greg Payne | ||
| 7 | Chevrons Bypass | Blair Orange | Robert Dunn | 2019 Auckland All Age Sale, $22,000, 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $32,500 | Small Car World |
| 8 | Emmy | Jonny Cox | Hayden Cullen | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $47,500 | Jean Feiss |
| Second Line | |||||
| 9 | Dance Till Dawn | John Dunn | Robert Dunn | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $40,000 | Diamond Racing |
| 10 | Play Philly | Robbie Close | Regan Todd | 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $35,000 | Peter Lagan Standardbreds |
| 11 | I'llavabubbles (E1) | Dylan Ferguson | Graeme Rogerson | 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, $16,000 | Rogerson Bloodstock |
| 12 | Mr Kaplan | Tony Herlihy | Tony Herlihy | ||
| 13 | Kaching Kaching | Todd Macfarlane | Todd Macfarlane |