Harrison’s Karrakatta Plate Hoodoo
When it comes to having one of the top chances in a Karrakatta Plate (1200m), trainer David Harrison has been down that path before.
Harrison had high hopes of winning his first Karrakatta Plate last year but fell short of the mark when Jericho Missile ran unplaced as favourite.
In 2018 his faith rested with Chix Pic, considered a big show after winning the Perth Stakes, but the Patronize gelding faded to fourth.
Harrison hopes history won’t repeat itself when he saddles boom colt, Gemma’s Son, in Saturday’s $500,000 Group 2 Amelia Park-Karrakatta Plate.
The son of Snippetson has taken all before him this season and remains undefeated after four starts in an outstanding maiden campaign.
A $20,000 yearling from the Scenic Lodge draft, Gemma’s Son is the ruling $1.70 favourite with Tabtouch for the Karrakatta Plate.
Harrison has unwavering belief in Gemma’s Son, but admits there is a sense of apprehension going in with another hot-shot favourite.
“I’ve had two fancies leading into the Karrakatta Plate over the past couple of years and unfortunately they went shin sore,” Harrison told The Races WA.
“It’s a race I haven’t won before and it will be nice if I was able to tick that off.
“My best result was a second with Mystic Maid when she ran second to Lucky Street.
“It’s not that I can’t train two-year-olds, it’s just I haven’t had much luck in this race.”
Gemma’s Son’s stocks were boost after the barrier draw. In a field of 14 he will jump from barrier seven. Champion hoop Paul Harvey maintains his association with the raging favourite.
Gemma’s Son’s key rivals were dealt mini blows. Starfield Impact will jump from the extreme outside gate and Watch Me Dance has drawn barrier nine.
“It will be my intention he jumps out and leads or sits outside of the leader,” Harrison said.
“If not it doesn’t really matter as he can get cover from that position.
“I’m happy with the draw.”
Supremacy and Gimcrack Stakes winner Starfield Impact sits on the second line of betting at $8 with Watch Me Dance ($9) the only other runner in single figure odds.
But Harrison is certain Dark Assault, a $26 outsider from the Roy Rogers yard, is the horse that poses the biggest threat to Gemma’s Son and is worth respecting.
Dark Assault has bumped into Gemma’s Son on three occasions, but it’s been his past two runs in the Perth Stakes (1100m) and Magic Millions (1200m) that has caught Harrison’s eye.
Dark Assault has drawn barrier three and Jarrad Noske retains the mount. Harrison said the Statue Of Liberty colt will be hard to beat.
“His last two runs have been very good,” Harrison said.
“In the Magic Millions he had bit of work to do and was huge.
“Last-start he lost ground on the corner.
“He is the horse to beat in my mind.”
Harrison said Gemma’s Son has not had setbacks since his victory in the Perth Stakes two weeks ago.
“He will have his final major piece of work on Tuesday,” Harrison said.
“He might not be the best horse I’ve had, but I love his competitive streak.
“His best work is his last 50m and he really attacks the line.
“He will be charging and is a real competitor.
“It would be nice to win the race.”
Julio Santarelli