The $30,000 Pascoes The Jewellers Silk Road Final has attracted a stellar line-up headed by the impeccably bred favourite Cherish Me. The daughter of Downbytheseaside is out of champion race mare Adore Me, who not only won the 2014 NZ Trotting Cup but clocked 1:47.7 when winning the Ladyship Mile at Menangle. The smart 3YO filly is certainly living up to her breeding, winning three of her four starts – the latest an emphatic victory of more than three lengths over this week’s race rival Zarlini in a heat of the Silk Road Series. The other heat was won by Seeking Clarity seven days ago, and by more than double that margin. The Matthew Williamson-trained and driven daughter of star pacer Ultimate Sniper swooped on the leaders from the 500m and could not have been more impressive. Drawing three on the back row, she should find herself no worse than midfield and shapes as the biggest threat to the favourite.
The enigma of the field – and the most difficult for punters to assess – is the Steven McRae-trained Cinderella Franco, who inexplicably galloped in the heat last week in her first run in more than five weeks. Her prior form had been superb, including a victory over Seeking Clarity by more than 12 lengths. If she brings that sort of form to Friday night from her handy barrier draw (6), she will be more than competitive. Next in the market is Southland Oaks winner Show Stopper, rated a $35 chance by the bookies – such is the dominance of the top three.
On the undercard, another fascinating clash between Zoltan Boscik and Dash Dosh unfolds in the Gallagher Insurance Mobile Trot. Back to level marks from behind the mobile this week, the latter’s record is very encouraging – five of her six wins coming from the stand, including an NZ Oaks victory over Tracy The Jet. That said, Zoltan Boscik won by 8½ lengths last week and looked to be doing it well within himself on his first outing for the Bob Butt barn – his fourth victory at Addington.