Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 3rd April
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park will host an eight-race program on Good Friday, headlined by the Group 3 Easter Cup.
A standing start feature race over 2503m, the Easter Cup showcases Gary Hall Snr’s Nullarbor hope Franco Motu, a five-year-old gelding with eight wins from 12 starts. He won the Group 2 4YO Classic in 2025 and begins from a 40m handicap.
Supporting the Easter Cup is a stand for mares only, the Race For Roses, and it is also run over 2503m. Penny Black is the headline act in the race and she comes off a 70m handicap.
Here is our race-by-race guide to Western Australia’s premier harness meeting for the week.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, April 3
Race 1
The opening race for 3YOs looks terrific on paper with many winning hopes. Expecting gate speed from TRIXIE DORA (1) and IM CATEGORY FIVE (3), with IN RARE AIR NZ (4) a possibility to use some of his early speed too. BETTOR BEHAVE (8) is one horse that could be put into the race to sit parked outside the leader.
In a race where I don’t have a great deal of confidence in narrowing down the winner, BETTOR BEHAVE (8) has shown great versatility in his 16-start career, so Aiden De Campo will have options – whether he chooses to go back and make a three-wide move or look for the breeze. MY MACHANE (10) has a soft trailing draw and with any clear running late, he will be very dangerous.
Selections: 8-10-1-4
BETTOR BEHAVE (8) each way
Race 2
Much like the first race, another competitive event here. A horse that grabs my attention is ROX THE WORLD (8) who resumed with an eye-catching fifth at his first run back. Gary Hall Jnr jumps in the cart which is a huge plus second-up and this horse is versatile. He can be put into the race as shown two runs ago when proving too tough for the likes of Tantabiddi and Greatgreat Boulder. He is one of the class runners here and has strong claims.
Another that appeals is CEE DEE THREE (3) who was second last start behind Major Freeway. He has been racing the likes of Lincoln Lou, Terror In Texas and Lazi Dais. Those form lines are strong and with a positive barrier, Kyle Harper may be able to find the front or settle handy.
SUGAR SHAKE (9) is another class runner in this field and has winning claims despite the poor barrier draw. Next best are the Matthew Scott pair of FRANCO MECCA NZ (1) and MIKIPELO (2) from good draws.
Selections: 8-3-9-1
ROX THE WORLD (8) to win
CEE DEE THREE (3) to win
Race 3
A quality race with the returning RAKLOU NZ (1) for Gary Hall Snr and will be driven by Stuart McDonald. A five-year-old mare from New Zealand that has raced four times in WA for two wins. She easily handled rivals in both victories as a short-priced favourite before a poor run behind Heavenly Gipsy. No trials leading into this, but she is talented and is the horse they all have to try and beat – the $1.40 on offer at the time of writing is too short to back outright.
Main dangers in the race are CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (11) and FINAL COLLECT NZ (12). CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (11) is a four-year-old mare for Team Bond that finished sixth in a WA Derby Preview (2130m) and she is a last start winner before having a spell. She does her best racing when leading or sitting parked. FINAL COLLECT NZ (12) drops back from fast-class company behind Minstrel and Rocknrollartist.
Knockout hopes go to KURIOUS BOY (6) although the barrier is a concern. He can run quick sectionals and if there’s pressure in the race, he’s good enough to make them pay. CAPTAIN BLIGH NZ (8) has another poor draw but sectionally has been good lately. Small place claims at odds here.
Selections: 1-12-11-6
Trifecta: 1,11,12 / 1,11,12 / 1,6,8,11,12
Race 4
The early speed battle between SWEET PINS NZ (1) and BETTORS PRIDE (4) could go a long way to determining the fate of this race. LINCOLN RIVER NZ (10) will be hoping they burn a little early but not too much so that driver Abbey Vidovich can try and get the last shot at them.
SWEET PINS NZ (1) goes on top after a satisfactory return when sixth behind Mad Monday. If Gary Hall Jnr can lead, the five-year-old will be extremely hard to beat. If they are crossed, then it opens the race up a lot as BETTORS PRIDE (4) is first up without a trial for new trainer Kevin Keys.
LINCOLN RIVER NZ (10) was flying a few months ago and didn’t appreciate doing work in a stand two starts ago. Gets a perfect set up here – do no work in the run, hope for some clear running and pounce. He found the line nicely last run when widest on the track in the home straight and looks a great each-way play in the race. TUALOU NZ (5), MINOS NZ (6), TIGER ROYAL NZ (7) and ROCKANDROLLARTIST (9) are all good enough to win if luck goes their way in the race.
Selections: 10-1-6-9
LINCOLN RIVER NZ (10) each way
Race 5
There is no doubting the talent of FRANCO MOTU NZ (13) but $1.50 is short enough about a horse that has to overcome a 40m handicap with a capacity field of 12 runners. I’m happy to back two runners in the race with LAST HARD COPY (9) almost running identical splits to the favourite in his own stand which was won by Petes Honour. De Campo will try and use a head start to give himself the best chance of causing a small upset.
ROCK ME OVER (6) is a veteran for Matthew Scott, having raced 295 times for 31 victories and 86 minor placings. He is racing in consistent fashion and the 10m handicap gives him value place claims. Will back him to win just in case everything goes right, but it’s the place that appeals with him at massive odds. CAPTAIN RAVISHING (14) has the 50m backmark which could prove too much. SPYGLASS NZ (10) can definitely bob up in this too at odds. I better mention CHASE ME NZ (12) but place claims look best.
Selections: 13-9-6-10
LAST HARD COPY (9) to win
ROCK ME OVER (6) each way
Race 6
The scratching of Kinky helps star mare PENNY BLACK NZ (11) in her quest to win the Listed Race For Roses (2503m) despite a 70m back mark which will not be easy to overcome. She has won her only stand, which was this race 12 months ago when overcoming a 30m handicap. She was scratchy in the early stages and won’t want to make any mistakes from the 70m. For that reason, and the fact that she is $1.60, I have to look elsewhere in the race.
PAROQUET (8) will start from a 30m handicap and her best form is good enough to win from this mark. She was sixth behind Longreach Bay in a slick 1:52.8 mile rate at Pinjarra on Monday. Three starts back she worked hard against easier company. Will need the right sort of run but has enough talent to be an each-way prospect.
VINITA ROSE NZ (9) is racing well and 40m still gives her winning claims while XCEPTIONAL ARMA (10) has class on most in the field, just a little worried about the 50m mark. MINOR CATASTROPHE (3) is the best of the horses off a small mark as she begins from a 10m handicap and is a standing start veteran.
Selections: 11-8-9-3
PAROQUET (8) each way
Race 7
I am happy to forgive TROUBADOUR NZ (4) for a very plain run last time as a $1.50 favourite. Prior to that, he was phenomenal when leading throughout in 1:56.6, 56.5. Deni Roberts will be looking to replicate that effort here by rolling to the front. There will be more pressure than the victory in midweek company, but this horse can show lots of talent. Still think he is the horse to beat in this event.
SPITFIRE (8) and LINCOLN LOU NZ (9) have the best sectionals in the race and despite the car park draws, they can play a role in this race. The other winning chance is HALE SAINT LOUIE NZ (7). It would be a bit of a shock to see anyone else win the race on current form.
Selections: 4-8-9-7
TROUBADOUR NZ (4) to win
Race 8
A match race on paper with former Queensland gelding LUVBITE (6) joining Michael Young and the Gary Hall Snr-trained A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (7). Going to side with LUVBITE (6) after a tenacious trial victory over Captain Ravishing at Byford. Four starts ago, he was beaten 13.2m in a 1:53.6 mile rate over 2138m at Albion Park. With the draw advantage, Emily Suvaljko will be trying to maintain the edge over the main rival.
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (7) has won both WA starts and now meets his toughest test. He has been nothing short of impressive so far and if he beats LUVBITE (6) despite the barrier disadvantage, then I can’t wait to see what he does next.
Selections: 6-7-2-5
LUVBITE (6) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 8 – LUVBITE (6)
Next Best: Race 7 – TROUBADOUR NZ (4)
Best Value: Race 4 – LINCOLN RIVER NZ (10)
Best Roughie: Race 5 – ROCK ME OVER (6)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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