Jewel for two-year-olds takes shape

The Odyssey is safely in the field for the $500,000 Aquos Jewel with his win at Doomben.

The final field for Queensland’s third richest two-year-old race, the Aquis Jewel, is taking shape after major lead-up events.

Brisbane Prelude winner The Odyssey and Bowen Prelude victor Lady Yendor joined Mackay Prelude winner Class Of Royality as automatic entries to the $500,000 race at the Gold Coast on Saturday week.

Niedorp who won the other Prelude in Brisbane is not eligible for the race.

The Jewel, which is restricted to QTIS bonus eligible horses, is worth more than the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes and Group Two Champagne Stakes which are run in the winter carnival.

The $2 million magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Group One $600,000 J J Atkins Stakes are the only two juvenile races in Queensland worth more.

The Jewel is assured of a capacity field with emergencies but there had been some confusion over what prize money would be counted towards entry.

Racing Queensland racing manager Simon Stout said QTIS bonus money would not be counted as money earned and only prize money would be considered to qualify for the race.

“In the event of a ballot the horses earning least prize money will be eliminated first. If there is a tie a ballot of those horses will be held,” he said.

Gold Coast Turf Club chief executive Steve Lines said the response to Jewel day was growing each year.

“The Magic Millions Sales start that weekend and we are expected a very big crowd,” he said.