Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 12th June
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts a 10-race card on Friday night and there are competitive fields throughout the meeting.
No standout feature event this week, but the action is sure to be entertaining with plenty of open races, ensuring many horses have winning claims.
Wagga will also see superstar three-year-old Hollywood Strip race. We will preview that event too.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, June 12
Race 1
ARISTA NZ (6) showed very good gate speed last start, leading throughout to win in 1:57.6, 57.2. He has the barrier advantage over his two main rivals and will be searching for the lead here. I wouldn’t take too short of a price, but he should prove hardest to beat.
ELITE FLEET (8) and MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (12) have shown more brilliance than the favourite to date, but they will be forced to cover more ground and work harder in the run. Both can win this race. Anything outside of that trio will be a bit of a shock. UP AND ALIVE (9) is racing well, although this is tougher than recent runs from the poor draw. JAXON MORGAN (10) has blowout place claims.
Selections: 6-12-8-10
ARISTA NZ (6) to win
Race 2
FINAL COLLECT NZ (7) goes on top here but $2.20 is short enough from the awkward draw. Gary Hall Jnr will likely try and control the race from the breeze but on his recent form, it’s hard to know how he will go. HOLD THE AMMO (4) and ILLAWONG MUSTANG (6) could be potential leaders in the race.
RELLIM (11) should appreciate this draw much more than gate nine. He will need plenty of luck but if that eventuates, he should be storming home. OFFICIAL ROCK (10) also needs the same as she is racing well and can threaten if the gaps open up. As this is a tricky race, I am happy to be with the two second row runners and hope there is some pressure.
Selections: 11-10-7-6
RELLIM (11) to win & OFFICIAL ROCK (10) to win
Race 3
TROUBADOUR NZ (3) gets another chance after three straight defeats as an odds-on favourite. He is currently $1.85 and that’s skinny enough with the recent defeats. COPPER HEAD LADY (4) also being in the race means there could be some early speed. For that reason, I am going to settle on an each-way hope instead.
BLAZE AWAY (6) has been racing well against stronger opposition and looks a nice price here despite this being a tricky sort of draw. His chances significantly drop if forced to face the breeze as he races better leading or with cover. This class suits and can run well.
TROUBADOUR NZ (3) and COPPER HEAD LADY (4) have strong claims, while smaller hope to HENRIK LARSSON NZ (7) and KOOJAN (10).
Selections: 6-3-4-1
BLAZE AWAY (6) each way
Race 4
RUMBLE STRIP NZ (8) was game in defeat behind Double Parked last start and looks the horse to beat. He is $1.50 now which is fairly short for a horse from barrier eight with dangers in the race. ULTIMATE MIKI (9) was in the finish last time, in the same race as the favourite. He could easily turn the tables here.
HALE SAINT LOUIE NZ (12) won well last start when leading and will be the beneficiary if there is pressure in the race. It may work out well for him here and happy to be on his side at around the $7 mark. CAMS BOULDER (5) could have ambitions of trying to lead here and double figures is a nice price to find out. He doesn’t have to lead to win, but that would give him his best chance. KURIOUS BOY (1) and RAGAZZO MACH NZ (11) will both be suited on the pegs, so knockout claims.
Selections: 12-8-9-5
HALE SAINT LOUIE NZ (12) to win & CAMS BOULDER (5) to win
Race 5
PETES HONOUR (3) and HOTLY PURSUED (6) are the gate speed horses here. I am not entirely sure who will lead, so my top pick is MENEMSHA (5) who won’t get involved early and will look to slot into the moving line. He was a winner three starts ago, beating a similar field. He then ran an excellent second to YOURE SO FINE NZ (8) followed by a hard run. The smaller field suits and he should run well.
PETES HONOUR (3) is a big chance if he can lead after a last start third placing. YOURE SO FINE NZ (8) has the wide draw but strong claims still. Next bet is JUSTCALLMEMIKI NZ (9). Nothing would completely shock me in this race with most capable of winning with the right run.
Selections: 5-3-8-1
MENEMSHA (5) to win
Race 6
MAXIMUM ROCK (7) has been racing well for trainer-driver Chris Voak, winning four runs ago when blasting out to lead. Recent efforts behind Youre So Fine have been good and this class should suit despite the wide draw. The gelding is versatile and looks to have strong each-way claims at $7.
OPAL HUNTER (1) leads but I do have concerns about him against this opposition. Still a winning chance, just not keen on the price. IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (4) and SWEET PINS NZ (5) are racing well and could win here. THE IRON DUKE (8) looks the best roughie but will need plenty of luck as the draw hurts.
Selections: 7-4-5-1
MAXIMUM ROCK (7) each way
Race 7
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (8) begins off 20m for his first stand start race. He is lightly raced, winning three from 11 and placed in the other eight. He can be driven in a versatile manner which will help Gary Hall Jnr in this contest. Whether he makes a move for the breeze or comes with one run late, he looks hardest to beat.
STORMY VISTA NZ (3) gets the barrier draw advantage which should see him run a big race. Plan A will be to find the lead and if he does so, he will take some catching. ALTA TRIBUTE (9) is ticking alone nicely in harder grade and has winning claims, even from the 30m handicap. BLAZING REACTOR NZ (7) enjoys stands, winning five from 15. He looks a good price, so happy to back him too. LUVBITE (10) may find the 40m a little too tough.
Selections: 8-3-7-9
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (8) to win & BLAZING REACTOR NZ (7) to win
Race 8
INTO THE FUTURE (9) has a little bit of class in this line up and has been given barrier eight as a consequence. Peter Anderson’s gelding got a much-deserved win at Northam last start when trailing the leader. He might be put into the race in this class and he goes on top.
Not super confident in the race and besides my top pick, I can make a case for a stack of these horses. I was going to bypass the race but $5 is backable for my selection. Beyond that, I am struggling to put them in order here, so this is a low confidence race overall.
Selections: 9-5-12-7
INTO THE FUTURE (9) to win
Race 9
EASTBRO CHRISSY (1) and CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (5) should contest the early lead. Whoever holds up will have strong winning claims. The latter is probably no chance if she fails to cross. EASTBRO CHRISSY (1) still gets a chance if she is crossed. She won well from the breeze at Pinjarra in her WA debut for Gary Hall Jnr. Four runs ago at Melton she ran 1:54.5 when finishing second over 1720m. Looks hardest to beat on paper.
FAKENIT (6) is a tough mare and if they declare it on early, she can be put into the race and prove too tough. AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (8) has been a great mare in WA and her class will see her run a big race once again. HEAVENLY GIPSY (7) is finding her best form again, each-way claims.
Selections: 1-6-8-7
EASTBRO CHRISSY (1) to win
Race 10
ZLATO NZ (2) gets the key driver change with Kyle Harper booked to drive. He led and won when Donald Harper drove him last year, and looks the leader in the race. Drivers make a huge difference in harness racing and with Harper aboard, he should prove hard to run down.
HOTFOOT IT NZ (8) has mostly been racing against much stronger company. The draw hurts a lot, but this horse could surprise at huge odds here. It’s a competitive race if the favourite underperforms. BALTIC ACE NZ (11) should get a nice run so each-way claims. MASTER REMI (1) has a soft trailing draw and Davind Young’s duo of JACKIE DANIELS (6) and MINOR CATASTROPHE (12) could also run well.
Selections: 2-8-1-11
ZLATO NZ (2) to win
Around The Tracks
Wagga
Race 9
HOLLYWOOD STRIP (7) bypassed a clash with Marketplace at Menangle and that move should prove successful with Brad Hewitt’s star three-year-old set to beat the older horses at short odds. He has won 12 from 13, including the Nutrien Classic Sales Race Series Final by a huge space at his most recent start. He can bully to the top and win for fun.
HES FROM HEAVEN NZ (8) has a lot of talent himself and if he had drawn inside the favourite, it may have been a good clash. Looks the most likely to run second. MESSAGE BANK (4) has place claims in the race.
Selections: 7-8-4-5
Exacta: 7 / 8
Trifecta: 7 / 4,8 / 4,5,8
Summary
Best Bet: Race 1 – ARISTA NZ (6)
Next Best: Race 10 – ZLATO NZ (2)
Best Value: Race 6 – MAXIMUM ROCK (7)
Best Roughie: Race 3 – BLAZE AWAY (6)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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