Australian Analyst – Harness Racing Best Bets 28th-29th August
Harness racing best bets and tips for Friday and Saturday.
A relatively quiet weekend of harness racing compared to recent weeks, but there are still plenty of key races to focus on. Here are our harness racing best bets for Friday and Saturday.
On Friday night, one-time boom horse Never Ending will try to win for the first time since 2024 when he contests the Listed Members Sprint. Standing in his way will be former Kiwi Harrison John and open class mare Penny Black.
Menangle has an excellent trotting event on Saturday night with I Am Hellbound, Pesco Pollo, Gandhi Mail and Cormoran Strike colliding. That is then followed by the Listed Tatlow Stakes where Jason Grimson has a two-pronged attack.
Bulletproof Boy is expected to be hard to beat in the Free For All at Melton.
Gloucester Park (Friday, August 28)
Race 1
HAVTIMEFORMIKI NZ (4) has won both WA starts since arriving from New Zealand, including a track record 1:55.9 demolition of rivals at Northam. I am not entirely sure on the speed map here, but this gelding is versatile. Deni Roberts has opted to drive him rather than filly Skinny Dippin who beat D Mac at her WA debut.
D MAC NZ (5) and IM STEALTHY NZ (6) are fairly equal in terms of ability, so whichever of the Gary Hall Snr duo gets the better run, will be the hardest to beat in the race. PATRIARCH NZ (2) trialled well and this looks a good test for him as the colt has shown plenty of ability.
Selections: 4-5-6-2
HAVTIMEFORMIKI NZ (4) to win
Race 2
CHACO EAGLE (8) is racing in superb form, placed in two of his past three starts before an unplaced run against much tougher opposition. The draw isn’t ideal, but the horse continues to run home in 56 last halves. Hopefully there is a bit of pressure in the run and that would allow Chaco Eagle to run home strongly.
ATLAS THE TITAN (5) will likely sit parked outside of ELITE FLEET (2) and they look the main dangers in the race. ITS MAA TIME (12) resumes and her best form can see her go close.
Selections: 8-5-2-12
CHACO EAGLE (8) each way
Race 5
NEVER ENDING (2) started his career as a star, winning nine straight, and 12 out of 13. This included three Group 1 races. He was favourite for the TAB Eureka where he finished eighth behind Don Hugo. Since then, he hasn’t been the same horse. In fact, he has not won a race since July 2024. This looks his best chance to win again, drawing barrier two over the sprint distance. Gary Hall Jnr will likely try to get the lead off Lucca, but who knows if that horse will be willing to hand up. Regardless, Never Ending is the horse to beat in the Members Sprint.
HARRISON JOHN NZ (6) is first-up from New Zealand and brings strong form across. He was second to Got The Chocolates and beat home Jumal four runs back in a small field of five runners. LUCCA NZ (1) should run well from the inside draw, while ROCKANDROLLARTIST (3), PENNY BLACK NZ (4) and SWEET PINS NZ (10) can be thereabouts.
Selections: 2-6-1-3
NEVER ENDING (2) to win
Race 9
CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (3) should cross to the lead from barrier two and prove hard to beat. Three starts back she led when narrowly beaten by Maximum Rock. Two runs since have been full of merit from unfavourable positions and this is her best chance to get back into the winner’s circle.
BROUGHT TO LIGHT (7) could go forward and look for some cover behind ELWADDELL (9) who is a last start winner and may want the breeze position in the race. That trio has a distinct class advantage over the rest of the field, except for CAPTAINS CREEK NZ (8) who is next best, although the draw doesn’t suit.
Selections: 3-7-9-8
CAPTAINSHAVTIME NZ (3) to win
Menangle (Saturday, August 29)
Race 5
DESSIE GEE (1) has won two of his past four starts for champion trainer David Aiken. He consistently runs a similar last 800m, quite often around the 54.4 mark. The most ideal scenario would be landing behind the leader. There should be enough early tempo in the race to allow Dessie Gee to be dangerous late.
HUTA NZ (10) will be handlebars down early and is probably the most likely leader in the race. He won three starts back in 1:50.5. BLUTO NZ (5) and RIPP (11) are the other main chances in what looks to be a competitive event. SMOOTH BUZZ (4) could be the best knockout hope in the race.
Selections: 1-10-5-4
DESSIE GEE (1) each way
Race 6
PESCO POLLO (7) has won his past two starts, the latest when racing without cover for the final 1000m of the event to win in 1:54.6. This is a much stronger event, but that could help the gelding’s cause as Robert Morris may be able to roll forward to either find the front or searching for some cover in the moving line.
I AM HELLBOUND (10) will appreciate returning to Menangle after an Albion Park campaign where he won once and placed in the Group 3 Trotting Free For All from four starts. CORMORAN STRIKE NZ (6) and GANDHI MAIL ITA (8) look the other key trotters in the race.
Selections: 7-10-6-8
PESCO POLLO (7) to win
Race 7
OH ITS ON (8) has had mixed fortunes this month. He started it with a statement victory at Albion Park, working forward in a 26.9 opening quarter and continuing to run in a 1:51.9 mile rate. He then did things wrong when beaten at his next start at the same track. His best form is probably better than anything any of his rivals have done so far, but his manners can be shocking.
HES A DANCER (3) is the Jason Grimson-trained stablemate and he looks to have strong claims. He can also have bad manners. DISTURBANCE (4), BLISSFUL LOVER (1) and ATOMIK CRUNCH (2) have shown nice talent and could win without surprising.
Selections: 8-3-1-5
OH ITS ON (8) to win
Melton (Saturday, August 29)
Race 3
BULLETPROOF BOY (9) returned for the first time since a Perth trip and it was a nice third placing behind Fighter Command who was phenomenal. Bulletproof Boy smashed the clock in that event and the FFA this week doesn’t have the same depth as last week which also boasted Catch A Wave and Sir Jimmy. If he gets a good run midfield or better with cover, he should be hard to hold out.
MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (8) has had a brief spell since winning at Bendigo and gets a soft draw trailing CALEXICO (1) who may look to hold up at the start. Both horses have each-way claims from the pegs. Fairly even affair outside of the leading trio.
Selections: 9-8-1-2
BULLETPROOF BOY (9) to win
Albion Park (Saturday, August 29)
Race 6
ATTACHMENT (4) should call upon his gate speed searching for the front. He showed his sit-sprint capabilities last start, racing three back on the pegs in the field of five runners. He let rip with less than 400m to travel, making up at least 10m on leader Cheerstolou when beating him on the line.
CATSEYE BEACH (2) should try to cross District Attorney early and then grab the back of Attachment. He ran third behind Heza Punk Rocker and Fernco Nel last time. Driver Angus Garrard should be full of confidence after landing his first two Group 1 winners last week. This horse has knockout claims at huge odds.
CHEERSTOLOU (6) could be vulnerable in the event so happy to take him on. TIMS A TROOPER (5) resumes after contesting the Inter Dominion and may need the run.
Selections: 4-2-5-1
CATSEYE BEACH (2) each way
Trifecta: 4 / 1,2,5 / 1,2,5
For complete harness racing fields, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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