By Michael GuerinThe most anxious wait for many Harness Jewels punters has ended on an unexpected high - and that could see Piccadilly Princess start the hottest favourite on next week's $1.2 million day. That will have had plenty of punters around Australasia breathing a huge sign of relief as Piccadilly Princess had been as short as $1.35. However, those who took the short odds had nervous times as Piccadilly Princess went into last weekend outside the 13 and with trainer Mark Purdon concerned she was racing slightly below her best. Once it became clear at Sunday night's cutoff that she was in the race, Piccadilly Princess shortened from a high last week of $2.20 back into $1.50 with the TAB and could even start hotter if she fares well on Friday's Jewels barrier draws. Which means, to earn the right to defend her title, Piccadilly Princess has had to race the likes of The Orange Agent and Heaven Rocks, while many of those trying to beat her out of the Jewels were racing in lowly rating 50-60 races.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 22, 2017 16:52 UTC