Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 20th March
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park has 10 races scheduled for Friday night, including superstar pacer Minstrel contesting the FFA event.
Minstrel is the dominant favourite to capture Race 5 when he clashes with Mighty Ronaldo, Gee Heza Sport and Rockandrollartist.
Another highlight on the program is the 3YO pace which sees the return of Golden Slipper winner D Mac. He will race against Wishing Belle and Proposition Joe.
Interstate races of interest include Captains Knock in the Renshaw Cup at Penrith and heats of the Gold Crown and Gold Coronet at Bathurst.
Here is our race-by-race guide to Gloucester Park’s harness racing meeting.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, March 20
Race 1
The opening race on the card is tricky due to the presence of DELIGHTFUL PEG NZ (5). Her New Zealand form was excellent, including a victory over Captains Mistress. She won her first WA start on Tuesday, but that didn’t tell us much as she cruised around in slow time to win as a $1.04 favourite. On talent, she is clearly the one to beat after drawing inside ALTA ALLURE (8) who is the proven class runner of this field.
ALTA ALLURE (8) is a huge danger as she drops in grade and the returning Kyle Symington has picked up the drive. LOCH TAY (10) is racing well and has each-way claims.
Selections: 5-8-10-9
DELIGHTFUL PEG NZ (5) to win
Race 2
A sprint race that sees Gary Hall Snr and Gary Hall Jnr combine with former Kiwi A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (9). The five-year-old is having just his third career start after a pair of seconds in New Zealand back in 2023. He trialled behind Delightful Peg and Lucky Copy in a 1:57.8 Pinjarra trial, where they dashed home in 26.5 seconds. He just lost touch with the leading pair late for third in that trial. Should be the hardest to beat based on talent.
BEATITLIKEBECA (4) trialled well before contesting an 1177m race so I think that form can just be ignored. Looks a strong each-way contender. MIKIPELO (1), MAJOR OVERS (3) and BAZAAR PACKAGE (7) look next best in the race.
Selections: 9-4-1-7
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (9) to win
Race 3
An extremely competitive race here and it will not be easy singling out too many of these. MANHATTAN MOON (5) is the sectional star of the race for Kevin and Hayden Charles. Will be trying to slot into the moving line and make a run late in the race. Will need luck but can finish over the top. LILLIE QUEEN (2) is inexperienced and can mix her form. Her last run before a freshen up was encouraging and if she could land the rail from barrier two, she can win.
I could make a case for more than half the field. HOLY MOLEY NZ (3), CHASING REX (7), LORD TITANIUM (10) and RAKERO RAIDER NZ (11) are all good enough from their respective draws to figure in the finish.
Selections: 5-2-3-7
MANHATTAN MOON (5) to win
Race 4
Much like the previous, this is really competitive with a stack of winning hopes. CHACO EAGLE (2) will try and push his way to the lead from BEAT THE BANK (1) but there is also gate speed outside. Could be some early pressure. CHACO EAGLE (2) should be right on the speed regardless and has strong form if you ignore his stand run last time. Should acquit himself well and gets the top pick in my selections.
CHIVALRY NZ (5) continues to tough it out well from the breeze and might be able to get some cover with HUGOTASTIC NZ (7) and CAPTAIN BLIGH NZ (11) in the race. All of those can win, as can TIGER ROYAL NZ (6) and BELLY UP (10). I’d suggest going wider in the last leg of the early quaddie as this is tough.
Selections: 2-11-5-10
CHACO EAGLE (2) to win
Race 5
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Race 6
Good gate speed here with stablemates BURGHLEY SHARD NZ (1) and IDEAL TOMADO NZ (2), along with TRUNKEY CARRAWA (8). My gut feeling is that IDEAL TOMADO NZ (2) can get the lead as he is starting to find some form now with two good runs in a row. This is a suitable race if Emily Suvaljko can find the top as this horse’s last win came over a horse called Star Casino who is performing well in FFA ranks.
WICKED HUSTLER (10) finds a suitable race and would be hoping for a bit of early speed. Kyle Symington should work off the fence if BURGHLEY SHARD NZ (1) doesn’t hold the lead. Should go close in this company.
Selections: 2-10-1-4
IDEAL TOMADO NZ (2) to win
Race 7
This is the right sort of race for SUGAR STREET NZ (8) despite drawing poorly. He consistently runs the best mile rates compared to his rivals and can finish strongly. The one knock on him is that he hasn’t won since 2024, so I wouldn’t take too short of a price.
THE WILDCARD (7) is the quickest off the gate and he meets easier opposition than last time when bumping into Troubadour. IM SPIDERMAN (3) was disappointing last time but his best is easily good enough to win as he has good gate speed too. BARBADOS (1) and HEEZ GOOD AS GOLD (9) are next best.
Selections: 8-7-3-1
SUGAR STREET NZ (8) to win
Race 8
The standing start event has a handful of winning chances and the race-fit PETES HONOUR (9) looks the testing material. Three wins and two seconds from his last five starts, including a dominant stand victory off 40m. He comes off 30m this time around and should be finishing powerfully.
LAST HARD COPY (8) has won nine from 18 and is having his first start as a four-year-old. Looks a strong contender off the 20m handicap. ECLIPSE LINE (6) will be looking to lead from the 10m handicap. Each-way claims for Northam Pacing Cup winner OUR VINNIE (7), BLUTO NZ (10) and THELITTLE MASTER (11).
Selections: 9-8-11-6
PETES HONOUR (9) to win
Race 9
Three class three-year-olds with Golden Slipper winner D MAC NZ (7), 2YO Westbred Fillies Classic Final winner WISHING BELLE (4) and PROPOSITION JOE NZ (6). Expecting WISHING BELLE (4) to be leading and PROPOSITION JOE NZ (6) to most likely be outside her. That would give D MAC NZ (7) the camp on them.
I could analyse this race three times and make a case for all three. Will go with D MAC NZ (7) on top but the confidence is low as the other two are both nice horses capable of winning. Will be a cracking race to watch!
Selections: 7-4-6-3
D MAC NZ (7) to win
Race 10
Chris Voak has a new addition to the stable with HI SUGA RUSH NZ (7) who is the class runner of the field. This horse may have needed a change of scenery as he was racing decently without showing his best. If the best version turns up, he will be hard to hold out.
ALLWOOD MACH (5) has his share of ability too for Ryan Eyre and looks the main danger in the race. FRANCO MECCA NZ (3) has smaller claims but can still win with Shannon Suvaljko.
Selections: 7-5-3-2
HI SUGA RUSH NZ (7) to win
Around The Tracks
Penrith will have plenty of interest as CAPTAINS KNOCK competes in the Renshaw Cup. He is chasing the $1 million bonus.
One race earlier and IMA BOXA is a dominant favourite in the TAB Regional Championships. Both races should generate plenty of interest.
Bathurst will also host five heats of the Gold Crown for 2YO Colts & Geldings, while two heats of the Gold Coronet for 3YO trotters will also be run.
Some key runners in the Gold Crown heats include THE MYTEE DUCK, ELECTRICUTE, DON HUNTER, GOCCIADORO and THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS.
Summary
Best Bet: Race 10 – HI SUGA RUSH NZ (7)
Next Best: Race 2 – A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (9)
Best Value: Race 3 – MANHATTAN MOON (5)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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