Australian Analyst – Friday Harness Racing Best Bets 22nd May
Harness racing best bets and tips for Friday.
The Pearl Classic and Diamond Classic Finals at Gloucester Park are the highlights for Friday’s harness racing.
Both races are run at Group 3 level, with the Pearl Classic Final for 3YO colts and geldings, and the Diamond Classic Final for 3YO fillies.
Wagga hosts the all-important heats for the Nutrien Classic Sales Race Series, this time focusing on the 2YO and 3YO pacers.
Friday Harness Racing Best Bets May 22
Wagga
Race 1
CARDIGAN JEM (7) is a promising 2YO colt for trainer Emma Stewart, winning both career runs, the latest at Bendigo when rating 1:56.3, 55.8, 26.7. He has since trialled at Melton in slick time and looks primed to win again. He is a short-priced favourite to win this heat and should dictate terms from the lead or breeze position.
SMACK BANG BART (2) is a first starter that has won both trials at Melton. In one of those, he defeated Staunton who has since won on debut, although that horse was the better run in the trial. ELECTRICUTE (5) is yet to win from three starts but is racing well enough to be a place contender. TUAPEKA GOLD (9) is unbeaten from three but the winning run may come to an end here. BETTORBUST (6) won well at Mildura and has place claims. BORN TO ENTERTAIN (10) is also in the mix for minor claims.
Selections: 7-5-10-9
CARDIGAN JEM (7) to win
Race 2
INTEMPERANCE (7) was impressive winning on debut in a small field of four runners as he sailed straight past GOCCIADORO (6) to win by 8.3m in 1:56.8, 54.7. Barrier seven and a bigger field this time could make things tougher but that win was stylish and he looks hardest to beat for trainer-driver Brad Hewitt.
LONESOME STRANGER (3) is also a debut winner at this track when leading throughout in 1:55.4, 55.7. Looks to have strong winning claims again. DISTURBANCE (8) has won both career starts and has shown good gate speed which may be used here to get ahead of a few runners early. GOCCIADORO (6) has plenty of ability but will need to improve from that defeat against INTEMPERANCE (7). THE MYTEE DUCK (2) has smaller claims from the good draw.
Selections: 7-3-8-6
INTEMPERANCE (7) to win
Race 5
GO EASY ON ME (7) was a huge run for third three runs back when beaten 1.3m by Brooklyn Dan in 1:52.3. She was hitting the long the strongest in the home straight, dashing home in personal splits of 54.6, 27.2. She then won an easier race by 35.8m at Bathurst and despite defeat last start at Melton, it was a brave effort for second. With her speed and toughness, she should prove hardest to beat.
FICTION FILE (1) has the inside draw and with the gate speed to lead, driver Brad Hewitt will have options and may opt for a trail on a horse such as RACHELS LEGACY (5) who has won three from seven in her career. Outside of that trio, COMPLETE STRANGER (8) is the other winning hope with the rest of the field facing a tough task in this grade.
Selections: 7-1-5-8
GO EASY ON ME (7) to win
Race 7
HOLLYWOOD STRIP (1) is a superstar gelding for Brad Hewitt, winning 10 races from 11 starts. His only defeat came in the Group 2 Gold Chalice Final. The NSW Derby winner is a short-priced favourite to capture his heat and he has this race at his mercy.
ANDRETTI (3) adds intrigue as the former Kiwi is having his first start for Jason Grimson. He looks to have a lot of talent and it will be interesting to see what he does here. CARDIGAN DAN (8) faces an uphill battle from the draw and a minor placing would be a good result. SAN SEBASTIAN (7) and LETSSTARTINHEAVEN (9) look next best; the latter has a nice trailing draw and looks a good horse for the exotics.
Selections: 1-3-9-8
Trifecta: 1 / 3,9 / 3,8,9
Gloucester Park
Race 3
UP AND ALIVE (1) comes up with the good draw for trainer-driver Aiden De Campo, which gives options. He can hold the front which looks the best chance for the four-year-old mare to win. She led at Pinjarra to win three runs back and the latest run, when third to Kinky from a poor draw over 1730m was a good effort. She was strong to the line and should acquit herself well despite lacking the class of a couple of horses here.
SPITFIRE (8) is the sectional star on my numbers and will appreciate the drop in grade. I’d expect Jocelyn Young to drive him aggressively in this company after a fifth placing against Lincoln Lou and Golden Lode. I’m happy to back him also at around the $5 mark.
BROUGHT TO LIGHT (3) lacks early speed so may not be able to take full advantage of the good draw, but his form this preparation is excellent and he is a huge player in the race. He won at Narrogin two starts back and then finished third in the same race as SPITFIRE (8). KINKY NZ (5) is next best and SUN PUBLISHER NZ (10) will enjoy the soft pegs run.
Selections: 1-8-3-10
UP AND ALIVE (1) & SPITFIRE (8) to win
Race 4
GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (8) is the highest assessed runner of the field, a genuine FFA runner in a fast-class race that is weaker than most that the Team Bond gelding has faced in recent runs. Three runs back he was third behind Minstrel and Mighty Ronaldo before tackling the Group 1 Fremantle Cup second up where he finished 11th. Despite defeat in the Listed Narrogin Cup, he was only beaten a half-head by Otis as they sprinted home in 56.4 seconds. He will likely be put into the race to face the breeze and try to wear down the leader.
MENEMSHA (12) won two starts back and then finished a narrow second to YOURE SO FINE NZ (9). If there is some pressure in the race, then he can swoop to capitalise, along with MAXIMUM ROCK (11) who will also be dangerous under that scenario. YOURE SO FINE NZ (9) is one of the best talents in the race and has each-way claims despite the car park draw. THE IRON DUKE (2) could be a big improver tonight.
Selections: 8-12-11-9
GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (8) to win
Race 5
AMERICAN MACHINE (3) draws best of the main chances, and Aiden De Campo has opted to drive the colt from his three runners in the race. He was a brave second outside AMALFI KNIGHT (5) in the heat, finishing 1.4m away after racing in the breeze. This time around, De Campo will be trying to send him to the lead. Three runs back he led throughout to win in 1:55.9 over the 2185m at Pinjarra. Looks hardest to beat in the race.
AMALFI KNIGHT (5) will have Dylan Egerton-Green driving and this talented gelding has plenty of speed. He sat 1 out 2 back in the heat and ran them down in a 55.7 last half. He is versatile and is the obvious danger. BETTOR BEHAVE (7), CHUGACH (9), IDEAL AN ACE (10), GENTLEMANS PROMISE (11) and CEASE TO REACT (12) have smaller claims in the race.
Selections: 3-5-7-10
AMERICAN MACHINE (3) to win
Race 6
CRUNCHNSIP (10) is racing well without winning, with back-to-back second placings in the race. She has only won once in 17 starts but has been placed in another nine races. She will be hoping for an early speed battle because Deni Roberts can make them pay if clear running opens up late in the race. Strong each-way contender.
MISS LEOPATRA NZ (3) is the class runner of the field and when she leads, she is devastating. It looks to be race over if she finds the top, but I am unsure what SOVEREIGN JEWEL (1) will do. Both horses deserve to be the top two in the market. IM CATEGORY FIVE (9) is next best but disappointed when leading in the heat. The car park draw makes it hard. SHEZABECA (11) has rough place claims.
Selections: 3-10-1-11
CRUNCHNSIP (10) each way
Race 8
CODENAME MARCUS (9) will have to overcome barrier nine which is not easy to do at Gloucester Park. Trainer-driver Ashleigh Markham will be relying on the gelding’s speed to come three-wide late with one run and mow them down. That won’t be an easy task but he drops in grade from a first-up run where they ran strong time. There should be a lack of speed which should allow him to have a big finishing burst on him. At around $6, looks a great each-way play.
FINAL COLLECT NZ (6) has lost form as the campaign has progressed. This could be more suitable and Gary Hall Jnr has drawn inside the main dangers, so may be aggressive. KURIOUS BOY (7) drops in grade and has each-way prospects. LOUIE LEBEAU NZ (12) is finding form and should run well.
Selections: 9-6-7-12
CODENAME MARCUS (9) each way
Race 9
STORMY VISTA NZ (12) is first-up for trainer Michael Young and the former Kiwi trialled well defeating Lucca in 1:57.4, 56.4. Brickies Dream and Overly Excited were also in the trial which adds some weight to the performance. This is not a strong race outside of IM MASSIMO (9) who is also resuming. If Emily Suvaljko can keep an advantage over that horse, then STORMY VISTA NZ (12) becomes the horse to beat.
IM MASSIMO (9) has won three from nine, returns without a trial, but raced against must stronger company as a 3YO. He was third in the Group 2 Pearl Classic and on talent alone, will be a huge threat in this race despite potentially needing the run. TAKE A HIKE NZ (2) and BLITZAR (6) look next best.
Selections: 12-9-2-6
STORMY VISTA NZ (12) to win
For complete Friday harness racing fields, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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