Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 17th July
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night, headlined by the Botra Cup Discretionary Handicap.
A standing start event that features a capacity field of 12 runners. The lone backmarker in the race is Luvbite off a 40m handicap. It is $6 the field, such is the open nature of this event.
Race seven will see Vicbred Super Series and Breeders Crown Final winner Beach Diamond making her Western Australian debut for trainer Michael Young.
Here is our Gloucester Park preview for Friday night’s meeting.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, July 17
Race 1
ROCK THE TOUR (5) resumes from a brief spell, without any trials under the belt. He won his first race at start number three and this gelding can produce a quick quarter. He will be driven softly and may need the run, but if he can land in the moving line, he should be finishing strongly.
HEZ THE BOSS (8) has won three from four, including the rich APG WA 2YO Colts and Geldings Sales Classic Final. He trialled well recently, settling at the tail before making a move to race outside the leader. He looks hardest to beat; I am just not that keen at the $1.95 but he could easily prove too good. IDEAL WHISPER (7) ran third behind Hez The Boss in the Sales Classic Final and resumes without a trial. Next best is BENOA BAY (6).
Selections: 5-8-7-6
ROCK THE TOUR (5) to win
Race 2
SUN PUBLISHER NZ (12) drops in class on recent assignments and he has been running well enough in races where he faced a tough ask. I’ve got no idea on the speed map, so hopefully there is some pace early to bring him into the race. He boasts the best sectional times in the race and should be dangerous late.
There are far too many chances here if Sun Publisher is unable to get the job done. TRAVELBAN (7) should be better after there were excuses last time. He looks the main danger. Most of these can run a place with the right run.
Selections: 12-7-8-11
SUN PUBLISHER NZ (12) to win
Race 3
ME FLASH (9) will need to overcome the car park draw and that won’t be easy. He is racing well though, including a pair of victories last month. He either goes back and comes with one run or presses forward searching for the breeze. It is an even sort of race, and that should help the Shane Steele-trained and driven gelding.
TASHS SPARTAN (3) and IDEAL INTEREST (4) can go forward early which enhances their chances of winning. CHARIVARI (7) is consistent without winning – would love to lead and hard to beat if able to find that spot, but Ideal Interest may have other ideas.
Selections: 9-7-3-4
ME FLASH (9) each way
Race 4
CEE DEE THREE (11) won a similar race three runs back and considering this looks extremely competitive, I am settling on this roughie. Kyle Harper can either go to the fence behind Spitfire or follow Full Swing Denario which looks a pretty good option too. I like the way he found the line when racing widest last start, beaten just 10.2m by Eastbro Chrissy. At monster odds, he is worth a ticket.
HUNGER STRIKE (1) or FULL SWING DENARIO NZ (2) should lead and they have strong claims in the race. SPITFIRE (10) gets the nice trailing draw and can win if the luck arrives. CHACO EAGLE (6) and ARMA BELIEVER (8) can’t be ignored either despite the poor draws.
Selections: 11-1-10-2
CEE DEE THREE (11) each way
Race 5
The Botra Cup is one of the hardest races to decipher and the market reflects that with every horse $4.20 or better. Most of them can actually win with the right run too, as the handicaps are pretty fair.
With very little confidence, I have landed on PETES HONOUR (12) as he is one of the class runners of the field. The 30m won’t be easy but he did win off that mark back in March. That was an easier field than this, but there should be some good carts home. Two starts back, he was second behind Bettors Pride which is a great form line.
LUVBITE (14) has the best form in the race alongside Petes Honour but does come off a 40m mark. Not impossible the way he is racing. DAWSON NZ (6) didn’t have luck last time and from the front line, looks a sharp improver. Plenty of other hopes too.
Selections: 12-14-6-4
PETES HONOUR (12) each way
Race 6
MAXIMUM ROCK (10) is going to need some luck because Ima Fivestar General can be moderate off the gate. That could leave Maximum Rock three back on the fence. He is racing in terrific form and can run over the top if the gaps open up.
OUR CRUNCH TIME NZ (4) is the favourite. If he finds the front, then it’s probably race over, although the two horses drawn inside may try and kick up. SOHO MOONRAKER (2) would most likely hold the front if he found the rail, but I am not sure that happens. Looks to have each-way claims. MASTER PUBLISHER NZ (6) and LUCCA NZ (11) have smaller claims.
Selections: 10-4-2-1
MAXIMUM ROCK (10) each way
Race 7
BEACH DIAMOND (8) has some of the best form that I have seen arrive in WA. Her 3YO campaign was incredible, winning the Vicbred Super Series and Breeders Crown. She has trialled nicely too. If she brings any of that Victorian form across with her, she is going to prove very hard to beat in this race.
HEAVENLY GIPSY (9) is her stablemate and she looks a big chance to run a placing in this contest. It wouldn’t shock me to see her beat Beach Diamond either considering this mare has conquered Magnificent Storm in the past. POPPYONTHEBEACH (5) and SWEET COCO NZ (7) are next best in the race.
Selections: 8-9-5-7
BEACH DIAMOND (8) to win
Race 8
This is the race on the program that interests me the least from a betting perspective. No strong opinion here. Expecting the likes of ARIONROCK (1), GOODTIME LOUIS (2), RAKLOU NZ (3) and CAPTAIN SAID SO (7) to fight it out. It looks a good race to let go through to the keeper unless you have a firm opinion on a runner.
Selections: 2-7-1-3
Race 9
MAJOR DISCO (8) continues to find the podium, placed in his past five starts, including one of those being a Bunbury victory at $1.04. With the very slight barrier advantage over Curadh, he gets the nod. He should be marching forward as a lot of these front-line runners look outclassed.
CURADH (9) won a John Higgins Memorial heat last start and he can run some slick sectionals for this class. I am just not sure on his toughness if he is forced to breeze. LOU LAMOUR (12) is the other major player in the race and is a last start winner. Strong each-way chance here. Next best is DIAMOND WORLD (3) and SHEER ROCK LADY (10).
Selections: 8-12-9-3
MAJOR DISCO (8) to win
Race 10
CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (4) has to launch at the start to try and cross as that is her best chance of victory. She was racing in FFA mares’ class and this is a suitable class drop, although she does meet a couple of handy mares. If she finds the front, she quickly becomes the horse to beat.
UP AND ALIVE (2) is the other potential leader in the race. She won last start when doing just that. Along with her, EASTBRO CHRISSY (7) is the other key hope. I would be shocked if anyone else wins the race.
Selections: 4-2-7-1
CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (4) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 7 – BEACH DIAMOND (8)
Next Best: Race 2 – SUN PUBLISHER NZ (12)
Best Value: Race 6 – MAXIMUM ROCK (10)
Best Roughie: Race 4 – CEE DEE THREE (11)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
Comments