Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 13th March
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts a 10-race program on Friday night, headlined by the $30,000 Im Themightyquinn Pace.
The fast class race this week is a wide-open affair where eight of the 10 runners look to have winning claims.
Here is our race-by-race guide to Western Australia’s metro harness meeting.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, March 13
Race 1
The return of lightly raced four-year-old mare BETTATHANLIFE NZ (11) who showed a stack of ability as a filly, including a second in the Group 3 Daintys Daughter Classic (2130m) and fourth in the Group 1 WA Oaks (2536m). She transfers to Aiden De Campo and clearly looks the horse to beat here. Only needs to be about 80 per cent ready and should prove hard to beat.
TRUNKEY CARRAWA (3) and IM SPIDERMAN (5) have good gate speed, although the latter is first up for new trainer Giles Inwood. Place hopes to TA IN ADVANCE (1) and JINGLING JEWELS (10) who will get soft peg runs.
Selections: 11-1-3-5
BETTATHANLIFE NZ (11) to win
Race 2
A race with a few key hopes that have drawn well. TERROR IN TEXAS (3) and CEE DEE THREE (4) would both love to lead in this field and Kyle Harper is sticking with the latter which means Chris Lewis picks up the drive on the former. CEE DEE THREE (4) ripped home in 54.9 seconds in a race won by Lincoln Lou last start, and he chased hard all the way to the line, finishing 6.2m from the winner. Would love to grab some cover from SUGAR SHAKE (7) or DOURADO (9) if those horses go forward at some stage.
Outside of those, GREVIS (1) is more of a place hope while MAJOR THINKER NZ (11) is still a bit of an unknown in the west as he has raced just once in two years. Give him some more time to find his way with Lindsay Harper.
Selections: 4-3-7-1
CEE DEE THREE (4) to win
Race 3
This might be a suitable race for the Gary Hall Jnr-trained and driven CHASING REX (6) who is third-up from a spell. An excellent third placing last start behind stablemate Reset The Bar. Stuart McDonald drove Rex well, making a three-wide move at the right time and finishing just 4.3m away as he battled gamely in the breeze for the last 400m. His sectionals at his past five runs all read well for this type of race and if he parks outside XCITE ME NZ (1), he can probably wear her down.
XCITE ME NZ (1) has been beaten a mile at her past two starts and she is currently around the $3 mark which looks way too short. She could bounce back but looks a risk. Some at odds that can win if things were run to suit include CAMS BOULDER (7), GOODTIME LOUIS (10), DEL BOCAVISTA BAY (11) and LORD TITANIUM (12). Happy to back CHASING REX (6) and something smaller on LORD TITANIUM (12).
Selections: 6-12-11-7
CHASING REX (6) to win
LORD TITANIUM (12) to win
Race 4
Pretty keen on the Greg and Skye Bond-trained four-year-old gelding MAD MONDAY (4). A winner of six races from 19 starts, he raced the good three-year-olds last season, including a nice victory in the WA Derby Preview (2130m) beating Runkle Crunch who would go on to win the Derby. He can fly the gate and if Deni Roberts lets him go off the arm, he might cross them. Would feel very confident if he was leading but can also win from the moving line.
SEBASTIAN JAMES (11) has a bit of class, a nice trailing draw, and can also be versatile. Looks the main danger. BEAT THE BANK (1) and MY SILVER SPOON NZ (2) both draw well so can play a part, as can SPITFIRE (10) if he gets some clear running in the final lap.
Selections: 4-11-1-10
MAD MONDAY (4) to win
Race 5
For my Imthemightyquinn Pace preview and Miracle Mile analysis, sign up for free to Harnesslink’s The Insider newsletter.
Race 6
This race is a good advertisement for standing start racing. The handicaps make this a competitive race as LINCOLN RIVER NZ (10) is having just his second race from behind the tapes. He is absolutely flying with two wins from his last five starts and boasting the best sectional times in the race. The 30m handicap looks fair in this line up and he should prove hard to beat.
The other runner that I am keen on is CHACO EAGLE (8) who was a good winner last start after racing 1 out 1 back. Driver Vance Stampalia, known as ‘The Windmill Man,’ gave his customary salute crossing the line, and we would love to see another one here. The six-year-old entire is having his first stand race though. Hopefully he can step like he did in his qualifying trial.
ECLIPSE LINE (6) has strong claims if able to lead which looks a strong possibility. Other hopes to MY COPY NZ (5), RAKERO RAIDER NZ (7), DAWSON NZ (9) and BLUTO NZ (11).
Selections: 10-8-6-7
LINCOLN RIVER NZ (10) to win
CHACO EAGLE (8) to win
Race 7
Tough race here because a lot depends on DIAMOND WORLD (1). Based on her form two and three starts ago, she will be hard to beat. She had to work too quick during the lead time at Pinjarra but was still an honest effort.
Due to the tough nature of the race, going to back a couple of roughies each way and hope one can land in the money. STATE MY CASE (4) won well last start in easier grade and was runner up three starts back in this class. Shannon Suvaljko picks up the drive and should be good odds.
The other is BAZAAR PACKAGE (12) who drops in class from FFA mares’ events. Beaten just 1.5m by Little Darling two starts ago, she failed to beat a runner home last start in a Group 3 race. Will need luck but could surprise at odds. DIAMOND BAY (5) is a huge threat in the race, and the market has identified that.
STATE MY CASE (4) each way
BAZAAR PACKAGE (12) each way
Selections: 1-4-12-5
Race 8
11 rivals will have been happy to see the scratching of Kinky and now it has opened up the race with a stack of winning hopes. For me, it has caused the opposite effect. This is not a race that I have much confidence about. Most of the runners can win with the right run. For that reason, this one where I am completely stumped so take the selections with a grain of salt.
Selections: 3-12-1-6
Race 9
MAJESTIC GA GA (8) is the premier trotter in Western Australia, winning 21 races from her 58 starts, including nine victories from 17 starts at Gloucester Park. She is short odds to win her fourth straight race. She made a rare error last start but still proved too good. If she does everything right, she should simply win but may still win with a minor indiscretion. Can’t take short odds about her just in case though, so prefer to play an exotic.
YANKEE LOVER (2), MY LIGHTNING MCQUEEN NZ (4), CHUMANI (5), LUVAFLAIR (6) and PATCHED (7) all have place claims in the race.
Selections: 8-2-6-4
Trifecta: 8 / 2,4,6 / 2,4,6,7
Race 10
The last race on the program sees a very serious three-year-old gelding called IM STEALTHY NZ (4). This is a WA Derby prospect at this stage and he was brilliant winning by 8.1m in 1:55.2, 55.4, 27.0 for the 2185m at Pinjarra. Last season, he finished fifth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (2130m) won by stablemate D Mac. Gary Hall Jnr should get an easy lead here and the gelding can sprint home to record a fourth win at start number six.
JUSTASMOOTH MIKI (1) will get better with racing for Chris Voak and he will be driven by Aiden De Campo. Should trail the favourite and has strong place claims. Greg and Skye Bond have four runners with IN RARE AIR NZ (8) looking the best of them.
Selections: 4-1-8-2
Exacta: 4 / 1
Trifecta: 4 / 1,8 / 1,2,8
Summary
Best Bet: Race 4 – MAD MONDAY (4)
Next Best: Race 3 – CHASING REX (6)
Best Value: Race 6 – CHACO EAGLE (8)
Best Roughie: Race 7 – STATE MY CASE (4) & BAZAAR PACKAGE (12)
Around The Tracks
Geelong
Race 6
For my Geelong Pacing Cup preview and Miracle Mile analysis, sign up for free to Harnesslink’s The Insider newsletter.
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
Comments