Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 1st May
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts a 10-race card on Friday night with the fast-class race coming up as the fifth event.
Following The Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup, it is a regular meeting in the west this week without any standout feature event.
Here is our race-by-race guide to Friday night’s pacing action.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, May 1
Race 1
IM CATEGORY FIVE (3) should burn to the lead and we may see a more aggressive drive on IDEAL BEACH (7) as the breeze looks to be his for the taking if Gary Hall Jnr desires. Both of those horses are racing well and they are the two strongest prospects in the race. There is little separating the pair on recent form, but I will go with the Colin Brown-trained filly because IM CATEGORY FIVE (3) will be on the rail. She was runner up behind Wishing Belle last start.
IDEAL BEACH (7) is the best performed runner in the field and he could easily breeze and still win. AMERICAN MACHINE (5) resumes and has a stack of talent – his last start saw him defeat IN RARE AIR NZ (6). It’s just a fitness query for the colt who has each-way prospects. IN RARE AIR NZ (6) is in the mix too.
Selections: 3-7-5-6
IM CATEGORY FIVE (3) to win
Note: Im Category Five is scratched.
Race 2
HERES HERBIE NZ (12) could not have been any more impressive at his WA debut as he worked overtime to win by 9.8m in 1:54.3 for the 2130m. Any similar performance here and he just wins again. He has FFA grade written all over him. He is short odds so we need to look elsewhere in the race.
STARLIGHT DREAM (11) has a bit of class herself after racing well against the open class mares two runs back when third behind Delightful Peg. She can produce quicker sectionals than most of this field, and while she will need some luck from the inside of the back row, she looks value as a place prospect. PAROQUET (1) and HUNGER STRIKE (4) would both love to lead early before handing over to the favourite; this enhances their place claims. CHASE ME NZ (8) could also run a place but the draw is horrible.
Selections: 12-11-1-4
STARLIGHT DREAM (11) to place
Race 3
An extremely competitive race with lots of winning chances. LOCH TAY (1) has been racing consistently with a recent placing three runs ago in 1:52.8 at Pinjarra. She then finished sixth when held up behind Runkle Crunch. Ryan Warwick has the option to try and lead or look for a trail behind someone like RAKLOU NZ (2) or FINAL COLLECT NZ (4). She has strong each-way claims in a race that is difficult to predict.
FINAL COLLECT NZ (4) can be a big improver here and RAKLOU NZ (2) will go very close if she can find the front. OPAL HUNTER (11) and MAXIMUM ROCK (9) can be competitive in this grade too. A few others could bob up and win and it would not shock either as this is an open race.
Selections: 1-2-4-11
LOCH TAY (1) each way
Race 4
ARMA BELIEVER (5) should find the top as the horses drawn inside are racing up in grade and this gelding has brilliant early speed. With two runs under the belt, he looks ready to win, after finishing fourth on both occasions. He finished second when leading during the Nights Of Thunder heats in a slick 1:53.7. He generally finishes top two when leading in his races and let’s hope tonight, it is a first placing.
Two main dangers in LAZI DAIS (9) who ran well against Captain Ravishing, and LINCOLN LOU NZ (12) who has the quickest sectionals from his last five starts. If there is to be an upset outside of that trio, BETTOR ARCADE (10) is the most likely candidate but that relies on clear running room.
Selections: 5-12-9-10
ARMA BELIEVER (5) to win
Trifecta: 5,9,12 / 5,9,10,12 / 5,9,10,12
Race 5
A terrific fast-class race following the barrier draw and this is not easy being able to single out a winner. MAD MONDAY (11) is a four-year-old racing in dominant fashion with four-straight wins. He was the leader in all four of those victories and the map suggests he won’t be in front this time around. He may still prove too slick but couldn’t take too short of a price.
IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (1) will hold the aces early as trainer-driver Dylan Egerton-Green can try and set the pace or hand over to BETTORS PRIDE (3) who ran superbly when second to CAPTAIN RAVISHING (9) last start. The 2130m will suit BETTORS PRIDE (3) more and he has strong claims. HUGOTASTIC NZ (4) can be forgiven for one poor run and his prior form was excellent. FRANCO ENCORE NZ (10) is the best roughie in the race from a soft trip.
In a race where I am not that confident in singling out a runner, I am going for the roughie on an each-way basis and hoping he gets a lot of luck. FRANCO ENCORE NZ (10) was third to Magnificent Storm two runs ago and then finished ninth from a poor draw. Continues to carve out good sectionals.
Selections: 3-1-10-11
FRANCO ENCORE NZ (10) each way
Race 6
FABULOUS DREAM NZ (2) looks hardest to beat but she isn’t a mare that I could take short odds about. Two runs back, she was beaten at $1.02 due to broken gear. Ignoring that run due to circumstance she was beaten five runs back as a $1.75 favourite. She won well last start against easier company when sitting back near last and sweeping past them.
KINKY NZ (4) was thrown into the deep end last start when finishing sixth behind stablemate Aardiebytheseaside. Before that, she had to overcome barrier nine when running third to Getn Wiggy Withit. Both runs were full of merit and if there’s to be a minor upset here, then I believe KINKY NZ (4) can do so. Smaller claims to DIAMOND BAY (3), ROX THE WORLD (9), GELSOMINO AMAL (10) and ICE COLD SAPPORO (12).
A quick mention to returning trainer Kristian Hawkins who has SOHO CONFIDENTIAL (5) in the race. Hawkins returns for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Selections: 2-4-3-10
KINKY NZ (4) to win
Race 7
HI SUGA RUSH NZ (9) has the car park draw for trainer-driver Chris Voak and the class drop should be suitable as the gelding will most likely be driven aggressively. Three runs back he was fourth to Soho Shakedown in a strong mile rate of 1:55.1 and last start, he only knocked up the final 50m in another quick mile rate of 1:55.2 which is quick for this grade.
SAMMY SUFFARELL (2) will try to emulate his victory three runs ago when Kyle Symington also drove him. The plan will be to lead all the way and if he runs like he did in that Pinjarra win, they probably won’t catch him. LUVBITE (5) is right in calculations here. Lots of fringe hopes in the race that can capitalise if the favoured trio don’t perform to their best.
Selections: 9-2-5-6
HI SUGA RUSH NZ (9) to win
Race 8
WAVE REBELLION (6) strikes a suitable race for Stuart McDonald and the four-year-old mare resumed with a narrow victory after sitting at the back of the field and making a run with 800m left to travel. She whipped around the field quickly to find the breeze outside Jackie Daniels. The last 400m was a hard slog to the line with WAVE REBELLION (6) showing her class late. This presents a lot better for McDonald who can press forward, searching for the lead or the breeze position.
MADDY ROCKS (12) won an easier race two starts before tackling a much harder race last week, finishing ninth in a race won by Last Hard Copy. Her personal sectionals were quite good and she has claims at a price. I am keen to have something on her too. PINNY NOIR (9) is suited in this company but the wide draw is the great leveller. Could still win with a bit of luck. UNDER THE ALTA (1) and TRUE GRIT NZ (5) have smaller winning hopes.
Selections: 6-12-9-1
WAVE REBELLION (6) to win
MADDY ROCKS (12) to win
Race 9
HEEZ GOOD AS GOLD (7) is one of the class horses in the race and can probably win this race a couple of different ways. It won’t be easy but recent efforts have been fair. Shannon Suvaljko returns to the sulky which looks a nice positive regardless of tactics; he could be lit up at the start to try and cross most of them at the start or go back and make one run.
ROLLINDOWNTHERIVER (12) is another suited by this company and his closing sectionals in particular, give him a strong chance. JAMIE KIM (2) joins Kristian Hawkins and I think is worth something tiny if he is good odds. SUGAR STREET NZ (8) has not won for a very long time but wouldn’t shock if he finally did.
Selections: 7-12-2-8
HEEZ GOOD AS GOLD (7) to win
Race 10
DAT LOVELY (10) will be relying on some luck from the inside of the back row, but her win two starts back was absurd for a midweek race. Lachlan Kennelly drove the six-year-old mare ice cold before she stormed home with 600m left to travel to draw away to win comfortably. Chris Lewis picks up the drive and if there is any clear running, she should be ripping home in this grade.
BOLD JACKIE (1) and MADAM MAGGIE (3) look dangers in the race from their good draws. AMBITSIYA (8) has the poor draw but can still win here. JILL MACH (4) is racing well in stands – the mobile has often proved difficult for her but she could still win, while JACKIE DANIELS (5) is honest.
Selections: 10-1-8-3
DAT LOVELY (10) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 4 – ARMA BELIEVER (5)
Next Best: Race 8 – WAVE REBELLION (6)
Best Value: Race 3 – LOCH TAY (1)
Best Roughie: Race 5 – FRANCO ENCORE NZ (10)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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