Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 15th May
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night and we have a race-by-race preview for the meeting.
No feature races on the card this week but there is plenty of competitive racing and we are covering every race as we try to find a few winners in the west.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, May 15
Race 1
KINKY NZ (12) is the class runner of the field and strikes a very suitable race despite barrier 12. She drops in grade from recent efforts which include a sixth, beaten 9.1m by Aardiebytheseaside in FFA mares’ grade and then a second placing to Fabulous Dream. Whether Deni Roberts sits back to come with one run or makes an early move for the breeze, she should prove hard to hold out.
LILLIE QUEEN (4) and DIAMOND WORLD (6) are the gate speed horses in the race, although expecting the former to hold up. The 1730m journey should help her cause and she can give a bold sight on the pegs. She has been placed in her last five runs, so has each-way claims again.
UP AND ALIVE (8) has a terrible draw to contend with despite racing well. OFFICIAL ROCK (7) faces the same test – both have smaller claims.
Selections: 12-4-8-7
KINKY NZ (12) to win
Race 2
FOLLOW ROCKNROLL (11) competed in the Listed Narrogin Cup (2662m) when finishing sixth, 21.3m away from the winner Otis. Prior to that, he won an easier race than what he faces tonight. Trent Wheeler will save him for one run, whether that’s on the pegs or in the moving line, and with a bit of luck, he can finish powerfully based on recent runs. It’s a low confidence race with many winning chances.
BETTOR ARCADE (9) drops in class, has the best recent sectionals in the race, but cops barrier nine as a consequence of his NR rating. He can still win this despite the draw. OPAL HUNTER (10) needs luck from the inside of the back row but is racing well, while a stack of others could win without surprising. Tough race to work out.
Selections: 11-9-10-5
FOLLOW ROCKNROLL (11) each way
Race 3
SEASIDE POND NZ (4) is a former Kiwi that has had 30 starts for four wins and seven minor placings. He was a standing start horse in New Zealand and hasn’t run a place from nine attempts in mobiles. That should change in WA, but I would prefer to see him race before talking anyone into the $1.50 price on offer at the time of writing.
FABULOUS DREAM NZ (5) has won three races in a row and looks an obvious threat on paper, as does A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (12) who is a stablemate to the favourite. With such a big query on paper, I am happy to let this race go around and just learn from the result.
Selections: 4-12-5-6
Race 4
WHEN IN VEGAS (3) can show gate speed when asked and this looks the type of race where Deni Roberts will be searching for the lead. Whether that is available depends on what HEEZ GOOD AS GOLD (1) does early as the stable has four runners in the event. DARK EYES (6) is probably the biggest threat for the front. WHEN IN VEGAS (3) was a winner when he last led, back in October 2025, defeating the likes of Lincoln Lou, Chase Me, and Rumble Strip. If he can lead, then I would expect him to prove hard to run down.
CODENAME MARCUS (7) races for the first time since March 20 when running against Minstrel. He was smashing the clock last preparation against stronger company, so if there’s some pace on, he could be charging home into the race at big odds. ULTIMATE MIKI (5) has won both starts in WA and has strong claims, while DARK EYES (6), QUINTON (8) and LAST HARD COPY (9) can all win too.
Selections: 3-7-5-9
WHEN IN VEGAS (3) to win
CODENAME MARCUS (7) each way
Race 5
HUGOTASTIC NZ (5) caught the eye last start after racing back in the field and making a 3 wide and 1 back move. He was still second last at the 400m, almost 20m off the leader and ripped home to finish 3.2m from MENEMSHA (8) who had a nice run throughout. If he can get a nice run throughout and settle ahead of several rivals in running, he could be too speedy late.
CHASE ME NZ (2) looks like he might be the leader in the race, although FULL SWING DENARIO NZ (1) will have a say in that decision. He comes out of the same race as the two horses mentioned above and was blocked for a run in the home straight. Looks a huge improver tonight if he can lead or sit close to the speed. MENEMSHA (8) and BELLY UP (6) need luck but are racing well, and the same can be said for BETTORS PRIDE (10) who has the inside of the back row. YOURE SO FINE NZ (12) resumes and could surprise at odds. Very competitive race.
Selections: 5-2-10-8
HUGOTASTIC NZ (5) to win
Race 6
BEETASTIC NZ (4) won easily at her first WA start against easier company. She won under a hold from Emily Suvaljko so we don’t know how good she is just yet. She should roll straight to the front here and prove hardest to beat. At the current price of $1.30, I couldn’t back her to win.
WALL STREET GIRL (12) is one of the more talented horses in this line up. She will have to sit back and come with a run three-wide. She can mix her form though, so it’s hard to know which version of the mare will turn up. Has each-way claims in the race. WAVE REBELLION (9) has the poor draw and will hope the favourite goes unders – should be steaming home at some point. KOOJAN (2) resumes and may need the run.
Selections: 4-12-9-2
WALL STREET GIRL (12) each way
Race 7
LUVBITE (1) has been doing it tough every run, facing the breeze and trying to battle on. With a change in barrier draw, if the gelding can step well, the plan will be to lead and that would significantly enhance his chances of success. Since a brilliant first-up win, he has been a mixture of fair or disappointing, so this should be a good indication for how well he is racing.
MY SILVER SPOON NZ (5) has won three from six behind the tapes and has very strong claims. He won brilliantly two runs back and Chris Voak will be trying to find a prominent position. ROCK ME OVER (6) is a roughie that can run well. MEDIEVAL MAN (7) might find this more suitable than his past two starts.
Selections: 1-5-6-7
LUVBITE (1) to win
Race 8
RAKLOU NZ (6) will struggle to find a more suitable race than this one, draws the front line, and Stuart McDonald can send the Gary Hall Snr runner forward. Whether she can bully her way to the front or sits parked, she is the testing material in this class. Two starts ago she was beaten just 4m by Aardiebytheseaside and Copy Cat Queen. Both of those would be $1.04 in this company.
STATE MY CASE (8) and DEL BOCAVISTA BAY (9) have each-way claims despite the wide draws. Their sectional times read well for this field. TAKE A HIKE NZ (11) has been third at his two most recent runs and certainly has knockout claims if the favourite doesn’t perform.
Selections: 6-8-11-9
RAKLOU NZ (6) to win
Race 9
RUMBLE STRIP NZ (12) looks the winner at short odds here. Not a race that looks a good betting race unless the exotics appeal. I would prefer to let this one go around without getting involved.
Selections: 12-8-9-7
Race 10
CINCH NZ (4) is the horse that Deni Roberts has settled on for Team Bond who also have two other runners engaged after two scratchings. She won at Pinjarra two starts ago when leading throughout in a slick 1:54.1,55.8. She then followed it up by running third to Manuka Bay but it was a strong effort. She is the most likely leader from barrier three and if she can set the pace, would be hardest to beat.
IN RARE AIR NZ (7) won well last time in a harder race than this. It’s just a matter of how this race will be run – if there is no pace in it, then he may be giving his stablemate a head start that could prove hard to make up, although the breeze is an option too if it is devoid of pace which looks the likely tempo. WAVES OF FORTUNE (6) returns and could be in for a good prep.
Selections: 4-7-6-1
CINCH NZ (4) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 1 – KINKY NZ (12)
Next Best: Race 8 – RAKLOU NZ (6)
Best Roughie: Race 4 – CODENAME MARCUS (7)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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