Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 10th April
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night, headlined by the Group 3 Governors Cup featuring Magnificent Storm.
The final stop before The Nullarbor will see two contenders compete in the Governors Cup. Magnificent Storm is all the rage and he is joined by Mighty Ronaldo who will be looking to perform well leading into next week’s slot race.
There is an excellent support program with a 4YO & 5YO Westbred Pace, along with an open class mares’ event.
Here is our race-by-race guide to Friday night’s WA harness meeting.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, April 10
Race 1
Some serious 3YO talent lines up in the opening event with Aiden De Campo’s star filly WISHING BELLE (2) drawn to advantage over the resuming IDEAL BEACH (5) for trainer Justin Prentice. One of the pair should be winning the race.
WISHING BELLE (2) should go straight to the front and from there she is going to prove hard to beat. Two starts back she defeated Golden Slipper winner D Mac before a brave second behind Miss Leopatra in wet conditions at her most recent start. If she replicates either run here, she is the likely winner at an odds-on quote.
IDEAL BEACH (5) is already a Group 2 Pearl Classic (2130m) and Group 1 Westbred Colts & Geldings Classic Final (2130m) winner. May need the run first-up and running second here would be more than satisfactory for his return. CRUNCHNSIP (1) and TRIXIE DORA (10) have place claims from their peg-line draws. AMALFI KNIGHT (7) is one to watch this campaign, but the draw makes it tough against his favoured stablemate.
Selections: 2-5-1-10
WISHING BELLE (2) to win
Race 2
The FFA mares contest looks intriguing with DELIGHTFUL PEG NZ (4) trying to remain unbeaten since arriving in WA. She looks the leader and should prove hardest to beat. Her stablemate FAKENIT (5) was a narrow second to her last start and with a run under her belt now, looms as a big danger. With the price discrepancy, that is the way I am leaning in this race.
Other hopes in the race go to the class horses COPY CAT QUEEN (8) and AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (9) despite their poor draws at their first run back. MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (6) is consistent but at the moment, she is more of a place hope. Quick mention to WATER LOU (7) who has a new trainer in Kevin Keys. The once-dominant filly failed to win a race as a four-year-old, so can’t have her until she shows some of her old form.
Selections: 5-4-8-9
FAKENIT (5) to win
Race 3
RAKLOU NZ (1) holds the cards early as LINCOLN LOU NZ (3) would love to find the lead. Whichever horse leads, they can expect to see WA Derby (2536m) winner RUNKLE CRUNCH NZ (8) parked in the breeze outside them. Last start he was a brave second outside Mad Monday who is racing in stellar form. That run makes RUNKLE CRUNCH NZ (8) the horse to beat in this race in my opinion.
LINCOLN LOU NZ (3) was tremendous last start, winning in dominant fashion, and whether he can lead or obtain some cover in the moving line, he is a huge threat to take out this race. RAKLOU NZ (1) is fitter, gets Gary Hall Jnr back, and has options from the draw. LINCOLN RIVER NZ (11) is the horse at odds that I am keen to back also. Will need plenty of luck from that draw but can capitalise if there is pressure in the race.
Selections: 8-3-1-11
RUNKLE CRUNCH NZ (8) to win
LINCOLN RIVER NZ (11) to win
Race 4
A race for the 4YO and 5YOs where in-form Ryan Bell pacer LAZI DAIS (6) seeks a fifth straight win. He demolished rivals at Bridgetown by 32m and then repeated the dose at Bunbury with a 13.2m victory in 1:56.0, 54.1. He flies the gate and if he is able to cross the field, he immediately becomes the horse to beat.
CAPTAIN STIRLING (3) is the main danger and he was well placed last start, winning as a $1.16 favourite at Pinjarra. Some of his 3YO runs last season were enormous and he can do work and still run a good race. Lots of respect for BELLY UP (5) who has each-way claims. Same can be said for ALTA TRIBUTE (8) despite the horror draw. Smaller hopes to ARMA BELIEVER (11) and MENEMSHA (12).
Selections: 6-3-5-12
LAZI DAIS (6) to win
Race 5
Expecting early speed from FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) and HUGOTASTIC NZ (4), while TUALOU NZ (2), ROCKANDROLLARTIST (7) and MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8) are the others that could show speed if asked. HUGOTASTIC NZ (4) is probably the only horse that would consider holding out MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8). Early tactics are going to be very interesting.
FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) has excellent gate speed and the first plan would be holding the early challengers and handing over to MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8). This scenario would give FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) very strong place claims as his recent form is good. He was a winner four starts back in easier company and his second in the Mount Eden Sprint (1684m) behind Magnificent Storm is exactly what the Ryan Bell stable would love to walk away with here.
Selections: 8-1-4-11
FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) to place
Race 6
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (11) was eye-catching behind LUVBITE (7) last start and with the better draw this time around, should be able to turn the tables on that horse. He ripped home in 55.6 seconds. Prior to that, he had won both starts in WA and looks set to run a huge race here from barrier two on the second line.
HUNGER STRIKE (5) will likely be searching for the front as she drops in grade and Deni Roberts can opt to hold or hand to the favourite. Each-way claims here. OPAL HUNTER (6) resumes without a trial and he may need the run. His best form is good enough to win but does have a tricky draw. LUVBITE (7) was excellent last time, just may be faced with doing a lot of work in the run.
Selections: 11-5-7-6
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (11) to win
Race 7
Not super confident in this race as there looks to be a stack of winning chances. ART IDEAL (9) draws the car park but has the best form in the race. A third placing behind Luvbite is good form so happy to put him on top here. He has won two of his past four starts which adds some weight to my decision.
MYSTA MOON WALKER (10) is going to need luck from the inside of the back row but raced against some strong 3YO types last campaign. At around double figures, he is certainly worth a smaller win bet in this competitive event.
A case can be made for a lot of runners here if things pan out. TRUE GRIT NZ (3) can play a part if the lead time is a lot cheaper than last start, which is what should happen here.
Selections: 9-10-3-5
ART IDEAL (9) to win
MYSTA MOON WALKER (10) to win
Race 8
On paper, this could be a race in two with ROX THE WORLD (11) and BEAUDIENE HUNTER NZ (12) the two class runners of the race. They have the best sectional times in the race. Will keep this brief as I expect one of the two to win and the other is likely to run second. Exotics look a good way to place the race as the win prices don’t appeal at the time of writing for the two favourites.
Place claims for AMERICAN MONARCH (3), RELLIM (5) and FRANCO MECCA NZ (10).
Selections: 11-12-3-10
Quinella: 11 & 12
Trifecta: 11,12 / 11,12 / 3,5,10
Race 9
A standing start trotting event where the handicaps make this a competitive race. It would be a thin race if this was a mobile, but the big 40m mark for CHUMANI (8) and 50m mark for PATCHED (9) gives rivals a chance to knock both of them off. Clearly throw in ALDEBARAN BOYD (7) who begins off 20m and could win this from a mobile too as he has beaten Majestic Ga Ga. His manners can be concerning as he has galloped at his past two.
This is not a race where I have a great deal of confidence so I will settle on CHUMANI (8) on an each-way basis. Gary Hall Jnr continues to drive and he is consistently running around the mark. With some luck in running, he could finish strongly here.
Selections: 8-9-7-6
CHUMANI (8) each way
Race 10
Very keen on the last race with the Stuart McDonald-trained four-year-old mare WAVE REBELLION (10). Her race form is far superior to any horse in this race. She smashed Miss Vincenza and then defeated Hunger Strike at her next start back in November. Even her last run prior to a spell was a good effort. If she brings any of that form, she looks a $1.10 chance in the race.
Quite a few of these horses have strong place claims with JACKIE DANIELS (5) and MISS UNEEK (8) leading that brigade.
Selections: 10-5-8-3
WAVE REBELLION (10) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 10 – WAVE REBELLION (10)
Next Best: Race 3 – RUNKLE CRUNCH NZ (8)
Best Value: Race 7 – ART IDEAL (9)
Best Roughie: Race 9 – CHUMANI (8)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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