Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 19th June
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night, while Albion Park sees Leap To Fame, The Janitor, and Gus headline their meeting.
The biggest name in harness racing, champion pacer Leap To Fame, steps out ahead of his upcoming Inter Dominion title defence. He clashes with The Janitor and Minos in a FFA event that must be watched. Gus will also race against a small field in preparation for the Inter Dominion Trotters event.
Our main focus is the full Gloucester Park preview with the Group 3 Kerry Clarke for mares being the standout race. It boasts Fakenit, Eastbro Chrissy and Aardiebytheseaside.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, June 19
Race 1
UP AND ALIVE (1) should have this opening event at her mercy as she can lead over the 1730m and prove hard to run down. She hasn’t been far away in stronger events from poor draws, and this looks like her race.
SHEER ROCK LADY (8) is first-up and drawn poorly. She will have her work cut out from the draw, but on class alone, she has strong place claims and is the most likely to win if there’s to be an upset. OFFICIAL ROCK (5) has been racing well and could run a place, while the soft trailing draw suits MINOR CATASTROPHE (10).
Selections: 1-8-5-10
UP AND ALIVE (1) to win
Race 2
MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (7) gets the front-line draw and Dylan Egerton-Green simply must be aggressive early to get ahead of his main dangers off the back row. The lead should be up for grabs here, otherwise he can sit parked and still prove hard to run down.
ELITE FLEET (12) was a good return, strips fitter second-up, and should be finishing strongly in this company. Looks the main danger ahead of CAPTAIN SAID SO (11) who has each-way claims. My best roughie in the race is FLYIN DISCO (3) who was placed last time out.
Selections: 7-12-11-3
MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (7) to win
Race 3
SWEET PINS NZ (9) has the car park draw but this race has some depth and any early or mid-race pressure will suit the Gary Hall Snr runner. Two runs back he went to the line held up in FFA company and then made up a lot of ground when second behind OPAL HUNTER (3). That was a slow tempo early which was against this horse, but he still ripped home in 55 seconds.
DARK EYES (6) could be the forgotten horse in the race. He does have gate speed and that could see him land a forward position. This is a gut feel type, where I just want to be on at huge odds. MEDIEVAL MAN (8) should find his favourite position outside the leader but will likely find a couple better as there is talent surrounding him. DELULU (1) may try and kick up early, however, OPAL HUNTER (3) is quick and so is LOUIE LEBEAU NZ (2), so she may be crossed at the start. Still an each-way contender though. ROCKOKOKO (5) can also win this too.
Selections: 9-6-3-5
SWEET PINS NZ (9) to win & DARK EYES (6) to win
Race 4
GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (9) is the class runner of the race, winning in impossible fashion two starts back, before running second to YOURE SO FINE NZ (12) at the latest. His sectional times have been slick, he loves the staying trip with 10 wins from 38 races, and he will most likely sit parked once the speed slackens.
BETTORS PRIDE (4) was eye catching last start when second to Opal Hunter. Some of his runs back in May were terrific and he looks a contender despite being double figures. OUR CRUNCH TIME NZ (1) faces his toughest test to date. He hasn’t run over the staying trip yet and hasn’t raced this class in WA. We will know more after tonight as he looks the leader. YOURE SO FINE NZ (12) is classy too and can win with some luck. BRICKIES DREAM NZ (8) has each-way claims.
Selections: 9-4-1-12
GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (9) to win
Race 5
FAKENIT (2) showed good gate speed to lead and win two starts back. She hadn’t previously shown that type of early speed and will need to do so to hold out the early challenge from AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (5). If she can boot through to find the lead, she will be very hard to run down. If she gets crossed, she will have to sit outside the leader but could still fight on gamely.
AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (5) looks the main danger, along with EASTBRO CHRISSY (3). With the scratching of the inside horse, WAVE REBELLION (13) will now fill that spot and could be a place contender from the good draw. HEAVENLY GIPSY (8) is the best roughie and has been racing well; needs the race to be run upside down.
Selections: 2-5-3-13
FAKENIT (2) to win
Race 6
WHOS THE DAD (10) is going to need luck here from the inside of the back row. Will love the soft pegs trip and has sprinted home in 55.3 seconds at his last two starts. He should settle behind DEL BOCAVISTA BAY (1) who either leads or trails CEE DEE THREE (3). Regardless, it should be a nice spot, and Chris Voak takes the drive for trainer Kevin Charles.
Both DEL BOCAVISTA BAY (1) and CEE DEE THREE (3) have strong claims from their good draws. THELITTLE MASTER (6) and FINAL COLLECT NZ (4) look next best.
Selections: 10-3-1-6
WHOS THE DAD (10) each way
Race 7
ARETHA NZ (1) holds all the cards here as she returns for the first time in October. Her trials don’t tell a lot about her fitness. I can’t take $2 about her, but I am not that keen to be against her either. My original top pick is scratched as she gained a start in the Kerry Clarke, so will let this race go around without a suggestion.
Selections: 1-9-6-10
Race 8
HOLY HECKA NZ (8) hasn’t been seen at the races since December 2024. Thankfully, he has trialled nicely. Back in 2024, he beat Gully Gum, who would be a strong chance in this race. While there will be fitness queries and the poor draw, I think this horse is the best in the race and if he runs like 2024, he will prove very hard to beat here.
ART IDEAL (6) is right in the market but looks way too skinny in this field. TRUE GRIT NZ (5) draws inside and is a horse that likes to lead, just look at four runs back when winning, and throws a spanner into the works for ART IDEAL (6). Any early speed battle between that pair will suit HOLY HECKA NZ (8). UNDER THE ALTA (7) is racing well too and has each-way prospects.
Selections: 8-5-7-6
HOLY HECKA NZ (8) to win
Race 9
CURADH (12) looks very well placed tonight with back-to-back minor placings, the latest when rating 1:55.9, 55.6, as he chased home Eastbro Chrissy. This is a lot easier than his past few starts, barrier 12 is actually pretty good on paper, and should be extremely hard to hold out late. He deserves a win and won’t get a better opportunity than tonight.
It’s a wide-open race outside of the favourite. POCKET THE CHANGE NZ (11) has place claims in the race and could add some value into exotics if she finishes in the top four. Most of this field could run a place.
Selections: 12-11-5-9
CURADH (12) to win
Race 10
IN FULL FLIGHT (4) led and won at Pinjarra last start and would love to do the same again. Gets the top pick but $2.20 is short enough in a race that looks to have some dangers. INSURGENCY (5) and KATAMA NZ (8) are racing well, LADY MERMAID (3) and BETTER TOGETHER NZ (6) are stablemates that could surprise too. The last looks too hard for me, so I prefer to just watch this one.
Selections: 4-5-8-3
Around The Tracks
Albion Park
Race 4
LEAP TO FAME (7) is having a lead-in run to the Inter Dominion and with this not being his grand final, the $1.50 is skinny. I am not expecting Grant Dixon to give the champ a gut buster of a run. He may still prove too classy through his champion qualities but simply cannot take the price.
MINOS NZ (4) is prepared by Jason Grimson and he was a winner last start in dominant fashion after trailing Sweet On Lexy and leaving that horse behind to win by 5.6m. He should lead or take an early trail on CHEERSTOLOU (5). THE JANITOR NZ (6) will be looking to stay ahead of Larry in the run and if he can find the front, he could prove hard to catch.
Selections: 7-6-4-5
Race 6
GUS NZ (1) is a short-priced favourite to win and if he trots throughout, he should have no issue beating his four rivals. He is the best trotter in Queensland and gets ready for an Inter Dominion campaign.
ALDEBARANSTILINSKI (3) looks the most likely to run second and IKIGAI (5) is the other hope of filling that position.
Selections: 1-3-5-2
Exacta: 1 / 3
Summary
Best Bet: Race 9 – CURADH (12)
Next Best: Race 2 – MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (7)
Best Value: Race 6 – WHOS THE DAD (10)
Best Roughie: Race 3 – DARK EYES (6)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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