Jumal "over races" but still too good at Addington

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Despite a tough draw, gun three-year-old Jumal justified his hot favouritism with career win number 11 at the "Uncut Gems" meeting at Addington last night.

Jumal started from the outside of the front line but lobbed the one-one for the country's top driver Blair Orange in the Garrards Sires' Stakes 3YO Colts and Geldings Semi-Final behind Forever Miki, who was parked throughout. 

Turning for home it seemed the Steven Reid-trained star would leave his rivals to it but Jumal was made to work hard before winning by a neck from Forever Miki, who continues to impress. 

The Brent and Tim White-trained gelding was unbeaten in his first three career starts and looks the biggest threat to Jumal in next Friday's $200,000 Final.

"He just over raced a  bit," Orange said post race of Jumal, "and pulled too hard."

But he was quick to add "he still looks like the one to beat" next week.

At $1.30 Jumal - now a winner of 11 from 13 starts - was one of a number of short-priced favourites to win on the  night, though there were some upsetters as well.

In the Group 2 Studholme Bloodstock Bionic Chance Bracelet for the 2YO Fillies Wat The Fun was all the rage but it was the Beware The Storm who prevailed with a storming finish. 

Trained by Nathan Purdon and driven by John Dunn, the Jean Feiss-owned filly certainly got caught putters off guard, paying $54.

It was just her second start after finishing eighth on debut at Alexandra Park.

Dunn was also victorious in the $40,000 Oliver Ryan and Family Canterbury Plains Challenge Final when he partnered with another winner at double figure odds in the Jesse Wederell-trained Betterwithbling.

The 10-year-old had the perfect trip in the trail before wearing down the pace-making Lasa to secure his eighth career victory. 

The pair cleared out from the rest by more than seven lengths. 

In the Betavet Uncut Gems Colts and Entires Classic, Sideshow Bruce was upset by Iron Brigade, who came with a big last run for Tim Williams and Team Telfer, paying $22.

While he's been a top performer in 2026 so too has Rock Lobster for her large group of owners. The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained five-year-old mare claimed her sixth win in 13 starts this year in the Commodore Hotel Uncut Gem Aged Classic Handicap Trot.

It was a top drive from Riley Harrison who got the better of stablemate One Over Da Line to win by more than a length.

The heavily favoured pair of Tetrick and Prestigious both galloped out of contention.

On a night full of competitive racing Matthew Williamson was another star performer, taking out the Cobbity Equine Farm Uncut Gems Mares Classic with Chicago Sky and taking out the  Williams Elvidge Handicap Trot with Axel Rose.