Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 3rd July
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts a 10-race card as part of its regular Friday night harness racing timeslot. Here is our race-by-race Gloucester Park preview.
There isn’t a standout race on the program this week, however, there are quite a number of competitive races to dissect.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, July 3
Race 1
SHES A TINY DANCER (1) will be hoping that either Kinky or Stormyskyes can find the front, as either horse would be a good helmet to follow. Her career record shows that she prefers to run a minor placing with 24 of them, compared to just five wins from 62 starts. Two starts ago she was runner-up in this grade when racing 1 out 1 back in a race won by Koojan.
KINKY NZ (2) or STORMYSKYES (3) become the horse to beat if they can find the lead, while FLY TO THE FINISH NZ (7) is also a smokey to try and cross now that When In Vegas has been scratched. BLAZE AWAY (8) and ARTFUL MAJOR (9) have awkward draws, but they could bob up if the race is run upside down.
Selections: 2-1-3-8
SHES A TINY DANCER (1) each way
Race 2
There should be good gate speed from BEYOND THE SEA (3) and HUNGER STRIKE (4). I expect one of the pair to find the front. Neither horse is entirely trustworthy against this company, so I am looking elsewhere at a bit of a price.
IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (9) is the class runner of the field which is why he has drawn barrier nine for this contest. Trainer-driver Robbie Williams will have to go back early and let the race unfold. He finished strongly last start from a similar draw. He will need plenty of luck, but double figures is a good enough price to back on an each-way basis.
There are lots of winning hopes in this race – too many to name.
Selections: 9-6-11-4
IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (9) each way
Race 3
FABULOUS DREAM NZ (2) last raced on May 15, where she ran third behind Sweet Pins and A Little Silence. Prior to that, she had won three straight races, including wins over Kinky and A Little Silence. She looks the leader here and as long as she is fit enough, she should prove hard to catch.
OUR CRUNCH TIME NZ (8) will probably be the breeze horse in the race. He should fight on strongly from that position. SWEET COCO NZ (3) should get a nice run from the draw and has each-way prospects. DEL BOCAVISTA BAY (1) and OPAL HUNTER (7) are next best.
Selections: 2-8-3-1
FABULOUS DREAM NZ (2) to win
Race 4
BETTORS PRIDE (5) ran down Our Crunch Time from the 1 out 2 back position last start. That followed an eye-catching second at his previous start. He looks extremely hard to beat tonight, especially if he can slot into some cover in a similar position to last start.
LUCCA NZ (1) looks the big improver from barrier one and has strong each-way claims. He can mix his gate speed, sometimes looking sharp and other times a little more sluggish, so he will need to get out well as SOHO MOONRAKER (3) and CAMS BOULDER (4) are quick beginners. PETES HONOUR (11) will get a soft run and should be one of the best closers in the race.
Selections: 5-1-11-2
BETTORS PRIDE (5) to win
Trifecta: 1,5 / 1,2,5,11 / 1,2,5,9,11
Race 5
CHIVALRY NZ (1) was a winner five runs back in easier company when doing the work. The last three runs have been full of merit, including a second off a 50m handicap. Kyle Harper picks up the drive and will be trying to kick up early to hold out any early challengers. If he can maintain the front, he is a tough horse and should be hard to run past, especially if he can keep Sweet Pins in the pocket.
SWEET PINS NZ (10) will only need a bit of daylight to be a huge threat with Gary Hall Jnr driving. He is an elite reinsman at pushing off the fence and the horse has won his past two. HEAVENLY GIPSY (2), YOURE SO FINE NZ (4), BRICKIES DREAM NZ (5) and JUSTCALLMEMIKI NZ (11) all have each-way prospects.
Selections: 1-10-4-11
CHIVALRY NZ (1) to win
Race 6
PUSHBUTTON ROCK (10) gets the nod in a very difficult race to assess. Lots of winning chances here as the barrier draw has made this an interesting race. She is likely to be buried on the pegs and will need tons of luck, but double figures is a big enough price to find out. Deni Roberts will drive and the mare was a winner four runs ago when meeting a similar field.
WALL STREET GIRL (4) and MAJOR DISCO (6) look two of the better contenders in the race. I expect both to run well. The draw should suit MADDY ROCKS (3) which gives her a chance.
Selections: 10-6-4-3
PUSHBUTTON ROCK (10) each way
Race 7
I will keep this one fairly brief. I have no firm opinion on this race as the barrier draw has made it hard to split the likes of MINOR CATASTROPHE (5), DIAMONDSAREFOREVER (6), MISS VINCENZA (7), LUCKY COPY (8) and DIAMOND WORLD (11). All of them hover between the $3-$8 mark. It should be an entertaining race to watch, but I will just sit back and watch.
Selections: 8-11-7-5
Race 8
FLYIN DISCO (3) isn’t known for gate speed, but this isn’t the quickest line so Gary Hall Jnr will be trying his best to find the front. If he can find the fence, he should be hard to run down as he is quickly finding form in recent runs. The sectionals read well overall for this company and he looks ready to win.
DOURADO (9) is the class operator of the field – barrier nine is the main concern as he is only second-up from a spell. He may still prove too classy. HOLD THE AMMO (7) has good each-way prospects in the race. LEAVEAMESSAGE (5) is next best.
Selections: 3-9-7-5
FLYIN DISCO (3) to win
Race 9
JAMIE KIM (2) and TRUE GRIT NZ (5) should contest the early lead, and both should get their chance to win the race. They probably won’t compete too hard for that spot, but if that isn’t the case, THE RIGHTEOUS (3) could lob handy early and be threatening late. That’s the way I will go at the odds as Gary Hall Jnr jumps back in the sulky. That combination won three runs back from this draw.
MYSTA MOON WALKER (6) looks right in this race too. The interesting runner will be IM SPIDERMAN (9) who has a change of trainer to Corey Peterson.
Selections: 3-5-6-9
THE RIGHTEOUS (3) each way
Race 10
BLUE BLAZER NZ (9) has the outside barrier to start from, although he is a bit sharper than most of his rivals. Placed in back-to-back runs, he gets another good opportunity to try and find that 21st career victory as he nears 200 career starts.
GO JACK CROCKER (7) looks the key danger on paper. It is a tricky race to conclude the program, as I can even make a case for a horse such as HOTFOOT IT NZ (4) who pops up from time to time. Quite a few winning chances here.
Selections: 9-7-4-3
BLUE BLAZER NZ (9) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 4 – BETTORS PRIDE (5)
Next Best: Race 5 – CHIVALRY NZ (1)
Best Value: Race 1 – SHES A TINY DANCER (1)
Best Roughie: Race 6 – PUSHBUTTON ROCK (10)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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