Australian Analyst – Gloucester Park Preview 8th May
Race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview.
Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night, headlined by a pair of Group 3 harness racing features – the WASBA Breeders Stakes and the 4YO & 5YO Championship.
Team Bond has a strong hand in both feature events with two strong fancies in each. Mad Monday and Golden Lode lead the charge in the 4YO & 5YO Championship, while Aardiebytheseaside and Captainshavtime represent the powerhouse stable in the WASBA Breeders Stakes.
Here is our full race-by-race preview for WA’s harness action.
Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, May 8
Race 1
WHOS THE DAD (7) looks tremendous value to kick off the program as he drops in class on his most recent outing won by the smart Heres Herbie. His sectional times recently have been very good for a race like this. The wide draw is a little concerning, but Emily Suvaljko is driving and the seven-year-old gelding can be a little versatile against this opposition. At double-figure odds, looks a great each-way play.
A LITTLE SILENCE NZ (9) is a last start winner, beating WHOS THE DAD (7) by 6.2m after being driven by Jett Turnbull. He has been consistent in seven runs, winning three races and finishing second in the other four. He can work hard in his races and Gary Hall Jnr can either make a move for the breeze or sit back and come three-wide. Big danger in the race.
FABULOUS DREAM NZ (5) could be the leader just like last start when she led all the way to defeat Kinky as a short-priced favourite. This is harder but she has strong claims. STORMYSKYES (8) and SAMMY SUFFARELL (11) have smaller hopes.
Selections: 7-9-5-11
WHOS THE DAD (7) each way
Race 2
BELLY UP (7) was an impressive winner a fortnight ago, sustaining a run from back in the field to flash over the top to win right on the post from Bettor Arcade. He ran home in 55.3 seconds in that victory, which is consistent with most of his recent runs where he breaks 56 seconds for his last 800m. Drawing between both of his main rivals may be a blessing as Deni Roberts can weigh up the options – if LAST HARD COPY (8) decides to make an early move, then BELLY UP (7) could go first and look for some 1 out 1 back cover.
LINCOLN LOU NZ (6) won brilliantly last week when sitting back and making a fast run down the back straight. His speed is his best asset and I am not sure if they will go back and come with one run like normal or try to make use of drawing inside the main dangers and try and press on for a forward position. Strong claims either way.
LAST HARD COPY (8) is the third of the key main chances in the race. He was second in the Group 2 Preux Chevalier 4YO Classic (2536m) and then won well in easier company, posting impressive sectionals again. He’s got a bit of class here and can work hard. CHIVALRY NZ (11) and GULLY GUM (5) also have winning claims, while BLAZE AWAY (3) resumes and I’d prefer to see his first run back but he must be respected.
Selections: 7-6-8-11
BELLY UP (7) to win
Race 3
SKYLORD (2) returns to WA after racing in New South Wales and Queensland during 2025. He hasn’t trialled which is definitely a concern and meets a handy field. His last win came in 2024 so it has been a long time between drinks, but he ran a cracking second at Albion Park in 1:50.4, when narrowly beaten by Jordy. In a race where I am not super keen due to lots of winning chances, I have settled on Jocelyn Young’s six-year-old on an each-way basis.
MENEMSHA (4) finished fourth to Captain Ravishing last start and his past three runs have all been good. He doesn’t win frequently but this is the type of race where he can bob up.
JUSTCALLMEMIKI NZ (8) can work in this grade so he may be put into the race. THE IRON DUKE (5) was an eye-catcher last start and could be driven tough if need be. Others can win this too.
Selections: 2-4-8-5
SKYLORD (2) each way
Race 4
An interesting speed map could play out here with both HEAVENLY GIPSY (1) and CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (2) possessing brilliant gate speed. One of the two will lead, which means AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (11) gets a great run through at the start. COPY CAT QUEEN (3) should restrain trying to find the back of AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (11) if possible. FAKENIT (6) will likely press forward to find the breeze with Gary Hall Jnr driving her for a second straight start.
In a tricky race to decipher, AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (11) looks guaranteed to get a good run through at the start with cover. Deni Roberts drove her a treat last start when making a move to the breeze at the right time to hold off COPY CAT QUEEN (3). The prior run from AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (11) was excellent and she looks hardest to beat in the race.
CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (2) and HEAVENLY GIPSY (1) can both run a good race if they lead – they won’t want to cop pressure from FAKENIT (6) though as that would open it up for others. RUBY LOVERA (5) ran an improved race last start and it will be interesting to see if she can produce another good run; she has blowout place claims if the race is run upside down.
Selections: 11-3-2-1
AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (11) to win
Race 5
Deni Roberts faced a nice dilemma in the race and has opted for MAD MONDAY (6) rather than GOLDEN LODE NZ (5). I would assume that gate speed was the deciding factor as MAD MONDAY (6) can fly the gate and will likely find the front as those horses drawn inside would be happy to sit on a classy horse that is racing in exceptional form. The manner in which the four-year-old gelding is winning has been impressive and if he finds the lead as anticipated, it will be hard to catch him.
GOLDEN LODE NZ (5) has faster closing sectionals than his stablemate and if Kyle Symington can land a position close to the speed or even the breeze without running along, then his class could see him topple MAD MONDAY (6). Looks a great race between the pair. RUNKLE CRUNCH NZ (11) is better suited not facing the breeze so he will need some luck from barrier 11. SWEET PINS NZ (1) can mix his form but the inside barrier gives him place claims. DOUBLE PARKED NZ (12) is a former Kiwi, so I would prefer to see his first run in the west before assessing where he is at.
Selections: 6-5-11-1
MAD MONDAY (6) to win
Race 6
ULTIMATE MIKI (11) made it a winning debut in the west when finding the front and smashing rivals. Rumble Strip was in that race and he has since won. Gary Hall Jnr will likely work around to have a look for the top and there’s a strong possibility that it will be there. Otherwise, Hall should be content sitting parked with the up-and-coming talent.
PINNY NOIR (1) has the perfect draw to look to hold up early and then potentially relinquish over to the favourite. He was a winner three starts back and then ran well at his next start. Was an honest effort from the breeze last start.
ROX THE WORLD (3), SUGAR SHAKE (10) and DELULU (9) have place claims.
Selections: 11-1-9-10
ULTIMATE MIKI (11) to win
Race 7
THE BETTOR SIDE (4) can be driven aggressively here and the lead could be up for grabs. It is well documented that this horse doesn’t like to win, having four career wins from 38 starts and 20 minor placings. He won’t find a better opportunity than this as he has the barrier advantage over main rivals and is racing well.
SWIZZLESTICK (10) can produce a quick last half and he has most of this field covered in terms of speed. It will be a question of where he is in the run and what Gary Hall Jnr does. If he can camp close enough, then he could sprint over the top of rivals. Happy to back him also.
LOCH TAY (6) has a bit of class in this field and this is a big class drop on recent runs. She is the other key winning chance here. Smaller hope to GREVIS (3) and LADY CAMEL (8).
Selections: 4-10-6-3
THE BETTOR SIDE (4) to win
SWIZZLESTICK (10) to win
Race 8
LORD TITANIUM (8) has been racing against stronger opposition and will be hoping that meeting an easier field can bring about a change of fortune. The draw isn’t great and Aiden De Campo may need to concede at the start and drive for luck back in the field. There could be some pressure in the race with PAROQUET (7) engaged as that horse will likely search for the breeze. That could help De Campo’s gelding get into the race.
ARIONROCK (9) is almost a repeat of the above. Emily Suvaljko will sit back and watch it unfold, hoping that Michael Munro applies pressure to the leader.
MADDY ROCKS (2) is a strong chance if able to find the fence, while PAROQUET (7) is right in the mix – she could be vulnerable if breezing, but her class will take her a long way and it wouldn’t surprise if she still won.
Selections: 8-9-7-2
LORD TITANIUM (8) each way
Race 9
Former Kiwi BEETASTIC NZ (3) strikes a suitable race and is a short-priced favourite to do so. She has won a trial at Pinjarra and won two races in New Zealand from 16 starts. Her run two starts back at Cambridge suggests this is her race for the taking.
DAT LOVELY (6) has strong place claims after an unlucky third last week where she would have won if she got out earlier. She can sit back and run on strongly in this race.
BOLD JACKIE (2), JACKIE DANIELS (5) and SYNCHRONIZER (7) are the other key place chances in the race.
Selections: 3-6-7-5
DAT LOVELY (6) to place
Race 10
MINOR CATASTROPHE (7) has been coming out on roller skates lately and if Aiden De Campo can blast over to lead, she will give them something to catch based on the last two efforts. The sectionals for both races have been solid for this type of race. If she cannot cross, it may be curtains for her chances if caught without cover.
AMBITSIYA (8) is ticking along fairly and this race should be a lot more suitable for her chances. She can sit back and come with one run.
ICY COLD (4) is hard to assess as her form is hit and miss, courtesy of Lightning Laps which aren’t the best form races. If she produces her run from four starts back, she just wins this race.
Selections: 7-8-4-5
MINOR CATASTROPHE (7) to win
Summary
Best Bet: Race 6 – ULTIMATE MIKI (11)
Next Best: Race 7 – THE BETTOR SIDE (4)
Best Value: Race 8 – LORD TITANIUM (8)
Best Roughie: Race 1 – WHOS THE DAD (7)
For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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