Australian Analyst – Harness Racing Best Bets 31st July and 1st August
Harness racing best bets and tips for Friday and Saturday.
A good weekend of harness racing awaits as we preview the best of the weekend’s pacing and trotting action. Here is our harness racing best bets for Friday and Saturday.
Starting with Friday night, we see the return of Magnificent Storm at Gloucester Park. He is the short-priced favourite to win the FFA, but he will be made to earn it.
On Saturday, we have The Beautide being run at Launceston with $100,000 up for grabs. It looks like a competitive race which is a great endorsement for Tasmania.
Albion Park hosts a terrific clash with Cheerstolou, Eye Keep Smiling, and Captains Knock.
Gloucester Park (Friday, July 31)
Race 1
D MAC NZ (12) is one of four Gary Hall Snr runners in this 3YO event and three of them head the market. D Mac is the Golden Slipper winner that only raced once last prep before requiring more time off. His first-up second behind Skinny Dippin, a potential Oaks filly, was excellent when working hard over 2130m in a 1:54.6 mile rate. Gary Hall Jnr picks D Mac over Im Stealthy and Bumrah, so I am going to follow that lead too.
IM STEALTHY NZ (8) has the wide draw to overcome, but has plenty of class himself, and he could make it a hat-trick of wins. BUMRAH (3) is the third of the Hall leading contenders and Deni Roberts picks up the drive. It would not shock to see him win either.
Selections: 12-8-3-2
D MAC NZ (12) to win
Race 4
MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (9) resumes for the first time since winning the Group 1 Fremantle Cup and he has had a trial in preparation for tonight. The winner of 48 races from 78 starts will need to earn it because barrier nine over the sprint distance is notoriously difficult at Gloucester Park. He is $1.28 so I wouldn’t suggest anyone dive into the price.
BETTORS PRIDE (6) had a winning streak of three ended last week when unable to get into the race. He can fly the gate; whether he crosses or tries to get some cover on Magnificent Storm, he should have strong place claims in the race, with smaller win prospects. EASTBRO CHRISSY (2) and BEACH DIAMOND (3) are both drawn well.
Selections: 9-6-3-2
BETTORS PRIDE (6) each way
Race 5
MAJOR DISCO (1) comes up with the inside barrier for the John Higgins Memorial Final and Aiden De Campo will be trying to make every post a winner. He had to race outside American Blaze in the heat when finishing second, beaten 4.2m. This looks his best chance to turn the tables. He has since won which should give him some confidence.
AMERICAN BLAZE NZ (4) would be extremely hard to beat if he could lead. He will more than likely have to sit parked as there doesn’t appear to be many breeze horses in the race. He can still run a big race and is a danger still. CURADH (12) will hope the two favourites declare it on too early as he can swoop late. He isn’t known for toughness and that showed when parked outside Major Disco and fading late for fifth. YAWOMA (3) is my best roughie in the race.
Selections: 1-4-12-3
MAJOR DISCO (1) to win
Launceston (Saturday, August 1)
Race 7
OKANUI BEACH (8) was an eye-catching run, making up a stack of ground in the final lap to finish just a head away from Hungry Hippo. The four-year-old will need luck in The Beautide but this is a $100,000 race and there could be pressure throughout, which means the soft pegs run could be a good spot to be if the gaps open. Prior to last start, he had won his previous two starts, one of them an upset result at Bendigo in 1:53.6.
UNMATCHED (10) was also a good run last start and from a more reasonable barrier, he could be the knockout hope in the race. He is a consistent gelding that is never far away, so at massive odds, happy to back him also.
LIKEYOUFORAREASON (1) and ALWAYS BETTOR (2) are three-year-olds which meant they were guaranteed to draw well. Both can win this. BARBARY TALES (4) is the favourite but looks under the odds in a competitive event. HUNGRY HIPPO (12) has a terrible draw, and I think it will be much tougher this week than his recent wins.
Selections: 8-10-1-4
OKANUI BEACH (8) to win & UNMATCHED (10) each way
Albion Park (Saturday, August 1)
Race 7
CHEERSTOLOU (4) should lead because Wisper A Secret will be keen to take a trail and try to run down the leader via the sprint lane. The big query here is how quickly Cheerstolou has recovered from running last in the Inter Dominion Pacing Final. He is a sprint specialist, so the staying trip was not to his liking. He looks hardest to beat but the early price of $6 is long gone.
WISPER A SECRET (1) is a month between runs. He was last seen finishing second to Marketplace which is a good form line. Despite only two place dividends, I am happy to be with him each way. EYE KEEP SMILING (6) is a superstar mare and it will be no surprise if she proves too good. CAPTAINS KNOCK (5) can be a little hit and miss, so I need to see a really good run before considering him in this grade.
Selections: 1-4-6-5
WISPER A SECRET (1) each way
Race 9
DOUBLEFAULT (5) is a colt that looks to be getting better with each run. He was beaten as a favourite on debut when finishing fourth after leading in a 1:53.8 mile rate. He then finished strongly for second behind Maywyn Son Of Lou in the Prelude of this $100,000 APG Brisbane Sales Graduates Final. If he could land 1 out 1 back, he could prove hard to hold out late.
MAYWYN SON OF LOU (1) should lead from the inside draw and that gives him a strong chance of landing the major prize. He won the Prelude, racing outside the leader for the final lap. PARISIAN HUSTLER (6) has been making breaks in the score up recently. When he does things right, he has shown plenty of ability.
Selections: 5-1-6-2
DOUBLEFAULT (5) to win
Race 11
CRUSEY (2) is unbeaten in two starts and she is the short-priced favourite to capture the Fillies Final of the APG Brisbane Sales Graduates. She went back to the tail of the field before being the first horse in the moving line. At the $1.40, she is short enough.
SWEET LEAH JANE (1) was only beaten 1.1m by Crusey last start and she is good enough to turn the tables from the inside barrier. AUNTY MEL (4) and PRETTY WICKED (5) look place contenders only and WANNABE WICKED (3) looks set to struggle.
Selections: 2-1-4-5
Quinella: 1 & 2
Melton (Saturday, August 1)
Race 6
THE ART OF SUCCESS (1) has won seven straight races and the mare jumps up in grade. If she can hold the front and there isn’t too much pressure in the race, she could prove too slick for rivals. Two runs back she dashed home in 26.2 seconds and would love the opportunity to drop a quick final quarter once again.
SIR JIMMY (6) is the stablemate to The Art Of Success and if he had drawn barrier one, I would have declared him in this race. He will still be a huge threat in this race. HES FROM HEAVEN NZ (7) is normally driven by Mark Pitt but he has opted for The Art Of Success. I am unsure if the gelding is going forward or back from the wide draw.
Selections: 1-6-7-4
THE ART OF SUCCESS (1) to win
Menangle (Saturday, August 1)
Race 6
LUX AETERNA (1) handled an easier field last start and it was a much-deserved win for Rickie Alchin’s mare. Prior to that, she ran second in the Group 1 Golden Girl won by Eye Keep Smiling. If she can hold the back of No Notthebuttons, then she should be right in this race. She races well with a sit and should get a nice opportunity here.
BETTERTHANCASH NZ (6) has been placed in three of his last four runs and at double figures, I think he is worth backing too. He chased home Sao Paulo Simba and Sinaloa in the latest. NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (2) looks the leader and will go close.
Selections: 1-6-2-5
LUX AETERNA (1) to win & BETTERTHANCASH NZ (6) to win
Race 7
YOUR MAJESTY (8) just missed behind Gandhi Mail, and she could turn the tables this time around. Not long ago she had won three straight races and will be seeking a 10th win at Menangle. She is a consistent trotter and if she brings her best, she will be fighting out the finish.
GANDHI MAIL ITA (10) is an Italian trotter that delivered at his Australian debut. The wider draw brings him back to the field here. CORMORAN STRIKE NZ (2) won well last time and comes up with the good draw. He looks the other big winning chance. SPEEDY LOVER (11) has each-way claims.
Selections: 8-10-2-11
YOUR MAJESTY (8) to win
For complete harness racing fields, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
Comments