Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 5th June
Race-by-race Gloucester Park preview for Friday night.
Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night and there are plenty of competitive races scheduled despite no feature event. Read on for our Gloucester Park preview.
The FFA this week will see the likes of Gee Heza Sport, Youre So Fine, Mad Monday and Brickies Dream compete over the sprint distance and they should run a slick mile rate.
We also see the return of Lavra Joe, the iron horse of WA, who will be trying to recapture some of his past glory.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, June 5
Race 1
OFFICIAL ROCK (5) has an awkward draw to contend with, but her form is better than most here. She was narrowly beaten by Kinky two starts back and was then too far back against Loch Tay and Delulu which is stronger class. In both runs, she ran a 56-flat last half which is quick enough to win this with some luck.
COPPER HEAD LADY (3) is the query runner as her best form would see her lead and win. She ran third in the Group 1 WA Oaks last season and since then has had issues, breaking gait on multiple occasions. For that reason, I can’t take an odds-on quote, but we could see a return to form tonight. MY HAMMER DOWN NZ (8) won well last start and can win again. TAKE A HIKE NZ (7) and RELLIM (9) are next best – the latter will need a bit of luck but looks a good roughie so happy to back him too at huge odds.
Selections: 5-3-8-9
OFFICIAL ROCK (5) to win & RELLIM (9) to win
Race 2
OPAL HUNTER (2) gets the perfect chance to land back in the winner’s circle as he can lead for fun. He is $1.35 so I won’t be tipping him to win but he will be very hard to beat.
Outside of him, it looks an even race with the best chances all drawn poorly. I am struggling to narrow down the order, which makes it hard for exotics and even a place suggestion. I wanted to tip the favourite when I saw the race, just not at the price.
Selections: 2-9-12-6
Race 3
ALCOPONY (10) will enjoy sitting on the pegs doing no work, relying on luck, and hoping to find a late gap to run into the money. With the horse in front, SPYGLASS NZ (1) likely to try and hold the front, this will give ALCOPONY (10) his best chance of being in the finish. He finished fourth behind Gee Heza Sport last start in a quick 1:54.0 mile rate and his prior run before that was good too. In a tricky race, happy to have a throw at the stumps on a $21 shot.
SPYGLASS NZ (1), HEAVENLY GIPSY (2) and HOTLY PURSUED (7) can all run the gate hard, although I am not sure if the latter will be going forward or back here. There will likely be pressure which could help those sitting just behind the speed. LAVRA JOE (11) will be one of those as he resumes. His 37 career victories are more than double that of any other rival in the race. He has mixed his form in the past year so we will need to see what version of him turns up for his first-up run.
Selections: 10-2-1-11
ALCOPONY (10) each way
Race 4
YOURE SO FINE NZ (1) will need to find some of his old gate speed as it will be on from the start with both BRICKIES DREAM NZ (2) and MAD MONDAY (4) potential candidates to run the gate and see if they can cross early. YOURE SO FINE NZ (1) gets the services of Gary Hall Jnr tonight and he sat parked to win an easiest race when Hall Jnr last drove the gelding. His first-up victory with Maddison Brown driving was excellent and since then, poor draws have completely ruled him out of contention. He should go close tonight.
GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (7) is the class runner of the field, digging deep to win last start. If they go crazy early, Deni Roberts can make them pay with this gelding. BRICKIES DREAM NZ (2) should get a good run close to the speed regardless and MAD MONDAY (4) needs to lead or get some cover to win. SWEET PINS NZ (5) and JUSTCALLMEMIKI NZ (10) are next best based on the draw.
Selections: 1-7-2-4
YOURE SO FINE NZ (1) to win
Race 5
BOY BLUE NZ (12) has won both races this prep for Chris Voak, with winning margins of 22m and 8m. The second-row draw shouldn’t be too much of a concern as the four-year-old gelding is working his way through the grades. He consistently runs 1:55 mile rates for the 2130m which is something most of his rivals doesn’t do. The staying trip won’t be an issue either as he ran fifth in the Group 3 Western Gateway last season, finishing 7.3m from Bettor Fortune.
IM MASSIMO (4) won at his return and looks a key contender in this race. If the lead is up for grabs, then he immediately becomes the horse to beat, but BEETASTIC NZ (1) may want to hold it. She couldn’t hold on over the 1730m last start and there are concerns over this distance because if she races keenly, her chances could be forlorn. PAROQUET (11) looks the best roughie in the race, with place claims for SUN PUBLISHER NZ (10).
Selections: 12-4-11-1
BOY BLUE NZ (12) to win
Race 6
GULLY GUM (4) looks ready to run a big race with the booking of Gary Hall Jnr to drive. That tells me he will fire out, using the gelding’s customary gate speed, to try and find the front. After a string of poor draws, now is the time for Bob Mellsop’s horse to try and show his best form. His last win came when leading, beating an easier field than this, but the run prior to that, he was second to Golden Lode who is now a FFA runner. He beat home the rest of the field by a mile and that included some talented types like Rockandrollartist and Im Lightning Banner.
HILLVIEW BONDI (8) has a pair of 0’s next to his name, but the first of those was an excellent return in good company. Forget his last start as he had no luck – he should be the breeze horse here and will run a big race. RAGAZZO MACH NZ (7) rates well sectionally and can win with some luck. IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (5), DELULU (9) and SKYLORD (10) are also in the mix here.
Selections: 4-8-7-9
GULLY GUM (4) to win
Race 7
KINKY NZ (12) will be looking to follow ROX THE WORLD (11) and that horse could provide a good cart into the race, although there could be a temptation to make a move to the breeze. With options, the mare should run a big race as her recent form is strong. She was a winner two starts back in 1:54.2 and her recent fourth in quick time behind Brought To Light is fine form for this race.
ROX THE WORLD (11) also has strong claims in the race. YAWOMA (2) and SAMMY SUFFARELL (5) are potential leaders which gives them winning claims. TA IN ADVANCE (7) is the sectional star but the draw is horrible, so will need a lot of luck. FLY TO THE FINISH NZ (6) is improving.
Selections: 12-11-5-2
KINKY NZ (12) to win
Race 8
UP AND ALIVE (8) and AMERICAN EYES (9) look to have a class edge on rivals in this race and I am expecting them to fight out the finish despite the wide draws. They could both make an early move to find positions on the speed and that will only enhance their chances of success. With the price differential, I will settle on UP AND ALIVE (8) on an each-way basis.
AMERICAN EYES (9) is racing superbly and will be looking for the position outside the leader. DIAMONDSAREFOREVER (6) and DIAMOND WORLD (7) could bob up with some luck.
Selections: 8-9-7-6
UP AND ALIVE (8) each way
Race 9
DOUBLE PARKED NZ (2) looks to have the speed to lead from barrier two and he’s been just that at his previous two starts, forced to park outside the leader. He should improve drastically on the rail for Gary Hall Jnr and if he replicates his most recent effort, beaten 10.4m by Hale Saint Louie, then he should be the hardest to beat here.
RUMBLE STRIP NZ (4) will win if he crosses but he will more than likely be the one sitting outside the leader early and then considering whether to sit on LAST HARD COPY (7) if Joseph Suvaljko comes knocking. ULTIMATE MIKI (3) is the other breeze horse in the race and that could happen if RUMBLE STRIP NZ (4) opts to drop straight in behind. BELLY UP (8) is the best closer in the race.
Selections: 2-4-3-8
DOUBLE PARKED NZ (2) to win
Race 10
MYSTERY FRED (5) gets in best at the handicaps with a 10m mark compared to MCGEE (6) off 20m and ALDEBARAN BOYD (7) off 30m. Nigel Johns waited too long in the back straight to make a move last start and that proved costly, missing by just 1.3m. His manners were poor three starts back so I can’t back him at $2.10, but he is my top pick.
MCGEE (6) and ALDEBARAN BOYD (7) are the dangers and they can both win. It will be a shock to see anything else win but they are trotters and any indiscretion could bring others into play.
Selections: 5-6-7-3
Summary
Best Bet: Race 9 – DOUBLE PARKED NZ (2)
Next Best: Race 5 – BOY BLUE NZ (12)
Best Value: Race 8 – UP AND ALIVE (8)
Best Roughie: Race 3 – ALCOPONY (10)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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