Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 24th July
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park has its regular 10-race program, welcoming back millionaire pacer Mighty Ronaldo in the open class event.
Trained by Justin Prentice, the eight-year-old gelding Mighty Ronaldo has been a marvel in Western Australia, winning 17 races, including the Golden Slipper at two, WA Derby at three, and Fremantle Cup as an older horse.
Facing Mighty Ronaldo will be last start winners Hotly Pursued and Bettors Pride, as the latter seeks a fourth-straight victory.
Here is our race-by-race Gloucester Park preview.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, July 24
Race 1
IM CATEGORY FIVE (7) is first-up from a spell with no recent trials heading into this. She should press forward from the wide gate, either searching for the lead or some cover behind Manuka Bay. The Colin Brown-trained filly has won five times from 15 starts and her class will take her a long way despite the draw and racing fresh.
MANUKA BAY NZ (8) won the Daintys Daughter at Pinjarra and she will most likely have to race without cover as going back would be detrimental to her chances. She should run a bold race, as should SHIMMERING NZ (2) and A PRECIOUS GEM (3) from the good draws. Shimmering was placed in the Daintys Daughter and then ran fourth behind a pair of smart horses in Skinny Dippin and D Mac.
Selections: 7-8-2-3
IM CATEGORY FIVE (7) to win
Race 2
TRAVELBAN (10) will need luck from this tricky draw but is one of the runners that should thunder home if any gaps open up. He was held up last start and prior to that, ran a nice second from the breeze position. This is a really tricky race so happy to be with a horse at a bit of a price.
ART IDEAL (7) would love to find the top and would prove hard to beat from that position, although that map isn’t guaranteed. WALL STREET GIRL (8) can work in this grade and win, so she cannot be ruled out despite the horror draw. Lots of other chances in the race too.
Selections: 10-7-8-5
TRAVELBAN (10) each way
Race 3
CHACO EAGLE (12) will be hoping there is some tempo in the race so that Vance Stampalia can sit back, come with one run, and try to run over the top of them in the home straight. He is racing consistently from tough draws and while he will need the race to be run to suit, he should map about midfield. At close to $10, he is worth an each-way ticket.
SWEET COCO NZ (6) drops in grade and the mare continues to mix her form. She can be brilliant or throw away all hope. It’s just hard to predict which version will turn up. ELWADDELL (2) is the most likely leader in the race and should go well. BEAT THE BANK (1) will love this scenario and can be dangerous late. OUR VINNIE (7) is not out of the race either.
Selections: 12-6-2-1
CHACO EAGLE (12) each way
Race 4
CAMS BOULDER (10) will get the run that he loves, sitting behind the leader. He constantly goes around at big odds and often defies market expectations. Four runs ago he crossed to lead and win at $13 before finishing second to Sweet Pins at $51. He had no luck last start so put the pen through the run. He looks a great each-way hope in the race.
OPAL HUNTER (11) is racing well, winning three of his past five starts. He tackled the Group 3 Winter Cup last start and was never a chance from the tail of the field. He should press through, hoping for a midfield position. He is racing well enough to win. CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (1) will lead easily from the inside barrier and that means she is hard to beat. MAXIMUM ROCK (7) has each-way claims.
Selections: 10-1-11-7
CAMS BOULDER (10) each way
Race 5
HOTLY PURSUED (5) gets the barrier draw advantage over his main rivals and Kylah Madden should be trying to tackle for the lead which is where this gelding does his best work. He led and won four runs back and was also a winner last start when coming from off the speed. He is versatile enough but probably needs to be leading to win this race.
BETTORS PRIDE (12) has won his last three and is one of the better chances again. He can sit back and come with one run to win which is how he won two and three runs back. MIGHTY RONALDO (9) returns and the class runner of the field is the fastest horse in the race. He was last seen running in The Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup. HALE SAINT LOUIE NZ (1) and YOURE SO FINE NZ (7) have each-way prospects in the race.
Selections: 5-12-9-7
HOTLY PURSUED (5) to win
Race 6
IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (8) has a distinct class advantage and it’s just the car park draw that could bring him undone. Based on the effort three runs back when racing outside Opal Hunter, Im Lightning Banner should be driven like the best horse in the race and try to wear down the leader. He was runner up in the Winter Cup last start and this is a big drop in grade from that.
BLING IT UP (3) or CAPTAINS CREEK NZ (4) should tackle for the lead and whichever horse can find the fence will give a big sight. ALTA ALLURE (12) is super honest and she will be running home well. SAIFA NZ (10) needs luck but has knockout claims if everything went right.
Selections: 8-3-4-12
IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (8) to win
Race 7
SEBASTIAN JAMES (9) follows on from the previous race where Dylan Egerton-Green’s horse has the poor draw to overcome. He is a classy type that will need to be put into the race. He won at his first run back and that was a similar grade to this race. His best form will see him hard to beat; it’s just a matter of how much work he has to do.
ELITE FLEET (12) will love this draw as it gives Gary Hall Jnr options. Don’t be surprised if Junior works his magic to find the front over the staying trip. TWOBOB CRACKER (11) loves the distance, winning 10 times, and has been racing well. Expecting a bold each-way performance from him. LADY CAMEL (2) and MADDY ROCKS (1) have drawn well and could play a part if things pan out.
Selections: 9-12-11-2
SEBASTIAN JAMES (9) to win & TWOBOB CRACKER (11) to win
Race 8
This race is the one that I found the most confusing, and I have almost no confidence in the selections for this one. DIAMOND WORLD (5) and SHEER ROCK LADY (6) are the two favourites but there doesn’t appear to be much value in the pair. SYNCHRONIZER (4) could run well here, JILL MACH (1) has the good draw and MINOR CATASTROPHE (12) could run home well.
Selections: 6-5-12-4
Race 9
CAPTAIN SAID SO (9) has been racing against harder opposition, either winning or running a narrow second. This looks a great race for him despite the car park draw. Aiden De Campo can put him into the race to control it and he should be hard to beat.
FROM TIGERLAND (12) has been consistently running in the top four, including a win four runs back and two minor placings at his past two starts. I am not sure where he will map but he is versatile enough, so can run a big race. PRINCE OF TRIBECA (8) narrowly beat From Tigerland last start, while SPUDMEISTER (4) is ticking along well enough.
Selections: 9-12-8-4
CAPTAIN SAID SO (9) to win
Race 10
HI SUGA RUSH NZ (6) could use his gate speed early to try and get across them. If he managed to cross, then the Voak Train could be off with the prize. This is a lot more suitable than recent races and he should be racing on speed.
RAKERO RAIDER NZ (5) was a good effort last start when flashing late and looks a huge danger tonight. GOODTIME LOUIS (8) and CORDERO (9) are suited by the company, but these draws over 1730m can be tough. If they go crazy up front, then both can capitalise.
Selections: 6-5-8-9
HI SUGA RUSH NZ (6) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 6 – IM LIGHTNING BANNER NZ (8)
Next Best: Race 5 – HOTLY PURSUED (5)
Best Value: Race 3 – CHACO EAGLE (12)
Best Roughie: Race 4 – CAMS BOULDER (10)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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