Australian Analyst – Harness Racing Best Bets 7th August and 8th August
Harness racing best bets and tips for Friday and Saturday.
Two rich Group 1 two-year-old races highlight this weekend’s harness racing across the country. This is a look at our harness racing best bets for Friday and Saturday.
The fifth race at Gloucester Park will be for two-year-old fillies and it is the Trotsynd Diamond Classic Final. Seaside Serenade is the dominant favourite from barrier two.
Following that, Hez The Boss is a short-priced favourite from barrier one to capture the Hoist Torque Australia Pearl Classic Final. Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr will drive the Colin Brown-trained gelding.
Gloucester Park (Friday, August 7)
Race 3
SOHO SHAKEDOWN (1) returns from a spell and he was awesome in limited runs last season, winning five from seven. He has raced just twice in 2026 for a fourth and then a victory. His win was dominant and this is a horse that loves to lead. He should be doing that in this field, which makes him the horse to beat.
FRANCO ENCORE NZ (11) ran third in the FFA won by Magnificent Storm last week. He will be really dangerous late in this race. CAMS BOULDER (10) is a place hope from his trailing draw. SAIFA NZ (2), LUCCA NZ (5) and EASTBRO CHRISSY (6) could also bob up in the placings with some luck.
Selections: 1-11-10-2
SOHO SHAKEDOWN (1) to win
Race 5
SEASIDE SERENADE (2) is very short at the time of writing, an even shorter quote than her heat run when beaten. The speed map is tricky because ALL OUT OF ACES (1) could roll the dice and lead, or they may take the conservative approach and sit on Seaside Serenade. If she finds the front, Seaside Serenade will be very hard to catch.
IM CATASTROPHIC (10) will relish a soft trip on the pegs, either behind the leader or three back on the fence. She won her heat against Seaside Serenade and has a nice finishing burst on her. Two runs ago she showed some of that closing speed and if the gaps open up, she can be dangerous here.
ILIKEITLIKETHAT (6) has won her past two and she is a filly that could overcome the tricky draw. NEVELE ARMA (12) and OUR ROBYN HOOD (11) will be hoping for some speed on and they can make rivals pay if that happens. Both have each-way prospects.
Selections: 10-2-1-12
IM CATASTROPHIC (10) each way
Race 6
HEZ THE BOSS (1) has won five of his six career starts and drawing barrier one sees him as the $1.18 favourite. This race is at his mercy with Gary Hall Jnr driving. On paper, this race is much less competitive than the fillies.
IDEAL WHISPER (4) needed to draw inside Hez The Boss and now he will probably be forced to sit parked. Hall Jnr has picked Hez The Boss which is a no brainer, so that gives Deni Roberts the drive here. He can win if the favourite underperforms but doesn’t look value.
Trying to find something at odds, let’s go with ULTIMATE SHOT (12) who is going to need luck but finished nicely in the heat won by Ideal Whisper. At close to $10 the place, happy to have something small on him. BENOA BAY (11) and ROCK THE TOUR (3) have place claims at best.
Selections: 1-4-12-11
ULTIMATE SHOT (12) to place
Exacta: 1 / 4,12
Race 7
DAWSON NZ (1) has raced much better in stands at his past two starts, including a third behind Luvbite and Alta Tribute at his most recent start in the BOTRA Cup. If he can ping the tapes again and lead, he will give them something to catch. Trainer Colin Brown would love to win the Pearl Classic Final and then back it up with a win by Dawson.
LUVBITE (13) has the best form in the race by a mile. The only concern is the 40m, but this horse has won off 50m in the York Cup and 40m in the BOTRA Cup already. If he runs like his current form, he will be hard to hold out late. ARTFUL MAJOR (7), STORMY VISTA NZ (10) and CHIVALRY NZ (12) look the other winning hopes.
Selections: 1-13-7-10
DAWSON NZ (1) to win
Race 8
MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (4) is the class runner of the field and he looks hard to beat following a demolition victory at Northam last start. He has won just once from 13 attempts at the track, so that is certainly a concern. Plus, Balingup Boy may try and lead all the way, which is another concern. However, I’ve got to stick with the in-form runner.
BALINGUP BOY (2) was third behind Major Miki Whitby last time but didn’t have the best of luck. Prior to that, he won a pair of races, including a 1:54.9 victory. LOU LAMOUR (11) has each-way claims in the race and is the other class horse in the race.
Selections: 4-2-11-1
MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (4) to win
Menangle (Saturday, August 8)
Race 5
SAO PAULO SIMBA (7) has won four-straight races at Menangle and this looks his toughest test as he bumps into some talented rivals. Trainer-driver Michael Stanley should push forward early over the 2300m to see if Cam Hart will hand up the lead on Huta who can find the fence first. Sao Paulo Simba is fast and tough; he should run a big race.
HUTA NZ (6) should lead or trail and looks to have strong claims from either position. He has won two of his past three starts. MAX DELIGHT (10) returns from an Inter Dominion campaign and he looks under the odds at $2.10. He can definitely win, but happy to take him on in this event.
Selections: 7-6-10-8
SAO PAULO SIMBA (7) to win
Race 7
PESCO POLLO (9) has raced well in both runs this prep and has since had a trial where he was held up late behind them. He is the winner of seven races at Menangle and the 10m handicap looks a fair handicap. He is going to need some luck in the big field, but his form is good enough to take this out.
COURAGE STRIDE (10) is another trotter off a 10m mark and he has been around the mark without winning. He could run a nice race, as could CORMORAN STRIKE NZ (7) who has won his past two starts. He is relatively new to Menangle but is relishing the racing here. WATTS UP THE HILL (1) and LOTUS LOUISE (3) are both in the race too. Very competitive event.
Selections: 9-10-7-1
PESCO POLLO (9) to win
Albion Park (Saturday, August 8)
Race 3
HEZA PUNK ROCKER NZ (2) should win this race for fun. He was dominant last start, winning by 9.1m in 1:52.8, 52.8, 26.5. If he runs up to his current form, it will be about the time on the clock and winning margin.
FERNCO NEL NZ (5) looks the most obvious to run second but there is no value in the place for him. The pegs will be a great place to be with the sectionals they are going to run. BARTELLO (1) and CLASSIE WASHINGTON NZ (8) will be on the fence and just trying to follow for as long as they can.
Selections: 2-5-1-8
BARTELLO (1) to place
Race 4
TREMENDOUS SENSATION NZ (8) could be three back on the fence and that’s a great spot to be when you have a horse such as Bella Danza running along. Her sectionals are consistent and she normally runs well both on and off the pegs. By having the fence here, if she gets any daylight with enough time, she could be speeding home at double figures.
BELLA DANZA (3) looks the leader and is the most logical horse to beat. She has won two of her past four starts but couldn’t hold off Golden Fire at the most recent. Jason Grimson will be hoping he has Luvareschs behind and not Golden Fire, although I am not entirely sure on the speed map as Golden Fire is very fast off the arm.
LUVARESCHS (1) has each-way claims and should run well. The chances of GOLDEN FIRE NZ (7) depend entirely on the speed map. If she lands the fence, she has strong winning claims. If she is caught out or goes back, she could struggle.
Selections: 8-3-1-7
TREMENDOUS SENSATION NZ (8) each way
For complete harness racing fields, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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