Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 17th April
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts a 10-race card and all eyes will turn to the seventh race, the $1.25 million The Nullarbor.
Local stars Minstrel and Magnificent Storm will try and stop the eastern state raid from Bulletproof Boy, Ubetcha Tigerpie and Max Delight in the Group 1 The Nullarbor.
Supporting The Nullarbor is a terrific support program, including the Group 2 Empress Stakes, Group 2 Preux Chevalier 4YO Classic, Listed 3YO Colts & Geldings APG Sales Classic, and Listed 3YO Fillies APG Sales Classic.
Here are all 10 races previewed for Nullarbor Night at Gloucester Park.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, April 17
Race 1
FROM TIGERLAND (3) has raced three times after a huge absence dating back to 2023. He was a brilliant first-up run before winning his last two. The most recent was impressive as Ajay Markham drove him like the best horse in the race when sitting parked to defeat Beatitlikebeca in 1:56.1, 56.4. He looks the leader in the race and will take plenty of catching despite a quick jump up in grade.
DUNKALLEDY NZ (4) drawing outside the favourite hurts his claims of winning fresh, but the talent is there with two wins from 10 starts. Four starts ago he won in 1:56.1 at Pinjarra over 2185m and he was an admirable effort when leading and running third to Delulu in a personal mile rate of 1:55.9 for the 2130m journey. LUVBITE (7) won in tough fashion at his first start in WA two runs ago and then finished 10th behind Hunger Strike. He is definitely good enough to win here.
Selections: 3-4-7-11
FROM TIGERLAND (3) to win
Race 2
There is a dominant favourite with former Kiwi HERES HERBIE NZ (5) expected to win at his first start in WA. Back in November he finished second behind The Lazarus Effect in 1:54.0, 55.3, 27.4. That horse has since finished second to Kingman in the Group 1 4YO Classic and finished either first or second in FFA grade. With that strong form line behind him, the new Greg and Skye Bond horse should prove too slick for rivals.
OPAL HUNTER (3) was off the track for the first lap in a quick lead time and still battled on okay when seventh. He is second-up now and would love to find the pegs from BEATITLIKEBECA (1) before handing over to the favourite. That may or may not eventuate, but OPAL HUNTER (3) has solid place claims in the race. FINAL COLLECT NZ (7), ARIONROCK (9) and SWEET PINS NZ (12) have place claims.
Selections: 5-3-7-9
OPAL HUNTER (3) to place
Trifecta: 5 / 3,7,9 / 1,3,7,9,10,12
Race 3
The Empress Stakes Consolation (2536m) looks a competitive race and I am a little surprised to see CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (5) in this and not the main event. She has won three of her last four starts and narrowly won when fresh after a gap opened down the back straight. She got tired late but still held on and will derive plenty of benefit second-up from a spell. She has won over the 2536m before, and it won’t shock me if Deni Roberts tries to blast over because she is quick when asked to ping.
STARLIGHT DREAM (4) has the quickest sectionals consistently in this field and she can be dangerous late with some cover. The pegs runs for STORMYSKYES (1) and PAROQUET (10) give them each-way claims. WATER LOU (8) also has winning claims in the race despite the poor draw.
Selections: 5-4-1-8
CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (5) to win
Race 4
LAZI DAIS (1) resumed last month and quickly showed he has returned a more powerful horse with five wins in a row, including a 32m demolition at Bridgetown against older horses. Two starts back he ripped home in 54.1 seconds at Bunbury, winning by 13.2m against easier opposition. His latest victory was over the 2130m here at Gloucester Park when defeating the 4YO & 5YO pacers. He will lead the 4YO Classic field and looks hardest to beat – the 2536m journey is new territory for him though.
RUNKLE CRUNCH NZ (4) is a huge danger in the race and he is quite versatile. Aiden De Campo’s horse has shown both toughness and speed. He will have no issue with the longer distance after his Group 1 WA Derby (2536m) win in October. MAD MONDAY (8) is flying; it’s just the wide draw that poses a huge concern. LINCOLN LOU NZ (9) is another sectional star in this race, but the horror draw means he needs a lot of luck to figure in the finish. COMO EL VIENTO NZ (3) looks the best roughie and is worth a small bet around $51.
Selections: 1-4-8-3
LAZI DAIS (1) to win
Race 5
FAKENIT (2) has come up with a good barrier draw after two runs where she has chased home her stablemate DELIGHTFUL PEG NZ (8). Maddison Brown will be trying to keep out some dangers drawn outside her in order to run to the top from WONDERFUL TO FLY (1) who will almost certainly take a trail. If she leads, FAKENIT (2) will be extremely hard to beat, but she could also sit parked and go close to winning.
COPY CAT QUEEN (11) follows the favourite at the start and this is a great barrier draw as long as she doesn’t get too far back in the run. Aiden De Campo will be hoping only a couple of horses on the front line go forward so that he can settle midfield at worst. The five-year-old mare has a powerful finishing burst on her and she appeals each-way.
PENNY BLACK NZ (7) has been the benchmark and has each-way claims in the race. WONDERFUL TO FLY (1) has the same from the good draw. Smaller hopes to DELIGHTFUL PEG NZ (8) and AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (9) from the wide draws but it won’t be easy for either to get into the race.
Selections: 2-11-1-7
COPY CAT QUEEN (11) each way
Race 6
ROCKANDROLLARTIST (1) should have no trouble leading in the Parliamentarians Cup (2536m). It will be a matter of tempo and whether he runs out the journey as he has had seven starts over 2300m or longer for two minor placings. Two starts ago he was a narrow second to Tualou after burning over from barrier nine to lead. It was a brave defeat, and a similar run here will see him hard to beat.
OTIS (11) will appreciate the drop in grade after solid midfield performances behind Magnificent Storm at each of his last four starts. He should get a nice run from barrier 11 and should be finishing powerfully in the race. MENEMSHA (10) will love the soft trip behind his stablemate and has each-way claims. ALTA TRIBUTE (2) and THELITTLE MASTER (4) are also in the hunt here.
Selections: 1-11-10-2
ROCKANDROLLARTIST (1) to win
Race 7
My speed map is MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (4) finding the front and MINSTREL NZ (5) parked outside him. Once MINSTREL NZ (5) finds the breeze, Deni Roberts is extremely unlikely to relinquish it to another runner. The likely peg line behind MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (4) will be HUGOTASTIC NZ (1) and UBETCHA TIGERPIE (10) – the latter should appreciate a soft trip and three back on the fence is often a good position in the big, high-pressure races at this track.
MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (4) has won all five starts this campaign, all of them at Group 3 level over all distance ranges. The key will be not burning too hard in the first 200-300m and then keeping the lead time in check. Anything quicker than 66 seconds could be disadvantageous for the Ray Williams-trained nine-year-old gelding. He gets the top slot in my selections but only just.
MINSTREL NZ (5) is one of three Team Bond runners in the race and the nine-year-old gelding enters the race third-up from a spell. He is accustomed to doing it tough constantly and his Group 1 WA Pacing Cup (2536m) triumph in December was exceptional. With $2 million in prizemoney under the belt, he is going to run a huge race once again. A host of horses can win the race if the two favourites overdo it on the pace and they include HUGOTASTIC NZ (1), MAX DELIGHT (3), MIGHTY RONALDO (6), GOLDEN LODE NZ (7), BULLETPROOF BOY (8) and UBETCHA TIGERPIE (10). I know I have named most of the field, but the only two horses that would genuinely shock me after considering the likely speed map is JUSTCALLMEMIKI NZ (2) and FRANCO MOTU NZ (9). Good luck to all involved!
Selections: 4-5-8-10
MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (4) to win
Race 8
AMALFI KNIGHT (4) has shown plenty of raw talent in his six-start career, winning three races. He enters the Sales Classic second-up from a spell after a perfect fresh run where he sat back and found the line strongly when sixth behind his stablemate Wishing Belle. Despite being beaten 22.4m, he ran an almost identical last 800m to the filly, running home in 55.2 seconds. Whether he can bully his way to the lead from WAKE UP GEOFF (1), sits parked, or looks for cover on stablemate WHEELSOFORTUNE (9), I think AMALFI KNIGHT (4) has strong claims.
IDEAL BEACH (12) has won five of his eight starts and is the horse they all have to beat. He doesn’t have to get involved at the start and Gary Hall Jnr will then have options. WAKE UP GEOFF (1) has the ideal draw and is racing well, each-way chance. CEASE TO REACT (5) and BETTOR BEHAVE (6) rate well on sectional times and any pressure would suit both horses in the race.
Selections: 4-12-1-6
AMALFI KNIGHT (4) to win
Race 9
We can keep this pretty simple. WISHING BELLE (8) should be winning. She is a star filly for Aiden De Campo with 10 wins in her career. Only one other horse in the race has won three or more races and she is a rank outsider here.
CRUNCHNSIP (2) looks a strong chance to run second. LIVY ANN (1), EL RAES GIRL (4), SKYHIGH ADDA (6) and NOT SO SWEET (10) have place claims in the race.
Selections: 8-2-6-4
CRUNCHNSIP (2) to place
Race 10
The last race sees the better performed runners FRANCO MECCA NZ (7), ROX THE WORLD (8) and SAMMY SUFFARELL (9) all drawn out wide. The latter has James Herbertson driving and this horse already had good winning claims, so you can increase that chance with Victoria’s top reinsman in the cart.
RELLIM (3) got dragged back last start and still managed to finish nicely. He is going to need luck in order to win, which is something he hasn’t done since November 2024. Looks an each-way prospect in a race where the market has identified the leading hopes. I don’t think they represent any value at around the $2 mark, so trying to find something closer to double figures. JAXON MORGAN (6) is the other horse that grabs my attention at a big price. His last run was a nice effort.
Selections: 9-8-3-6
RELLIM (3) to win
JAXON MORGAN (6) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 4 – LAZI DAIS (1)
Next Best: Race 3 – CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (5)
Best Value: Race 5 – COPY CAT QUEEN (11)
Best Roughie: Race 10 – JAXON MORGAN (6)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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