Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 11th April

The Mildura Pacing Cup and Golden Easter Egg are the highlight races for Saturday’s harness racing in Australia.

Please note that Race 5 at both Mildura and Menangle were first published in HarnessLink’s The Insider newsletter. From early May, these will be exclusive to The Insider. Sign up for free to view exclusive news, race previews and analysis.

Other races of interest include a FFA featuring Hi Manameisjeff and Pinseeker, Watts Up Partytime contesting a FFA trotters event and the 4YO Trotters Foundation Final, all held at Menangle.

Albion Park sees the return of Speak The Truth in the Open Pace after brief Menangle campaign.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets April 11

Mildura

Race 5

A very competitive contest here where MY ULTIMATE JIMMY NZ (4) will be hoping to lead early and from there driver Alex Ashwood will have options. CAPTAIN PERFECT (9) returned two starts ago with a Melton win over 1720m. In the heat, he made a move to the breeze and was beaten a head by FOX DAN (8). Both Emma Stewart runners have strong claims in the Cup and I give the slight nod to CAPTAIN PERFECT (9) but there’s almost nothing between the pair.

JILLIBY NITRO (10) will be looking to track them in the race and will be hoping they both don’t make an early or mid-race move which could leave him stranded back in the field. MY ULTIMATE JIMMY NZ (4) was a good heat winner, although the final has way more depth and I am not sure if he’s ready to handle it just yet. ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (11) is next best.

Selections: 9-8-10-4

CAPTAIN PERFECT (9) to win

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Menangle

Race 3

Menangle specialist HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (2) has a stranglehold on the Condell Park Produce FFA (1609m) after drawing barrier two. STENO (1) is going to immediately take hold looking for the leader’s back. There won’t be too many willing participants wanting to sit outside the favourite early.

HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (2) has won 15 of his 19 starts at Menangle, including a 1:49.3 victory over Final Deadline and War Dan Buddy. He didn’t even lead on that occasion which was impressive for a horse that is accustomed to leading in his races. Should be an easy lead and he looks very hard to beat. The inside-drawn runners have the strongest place claims and they are STENO (1), MIKI PINS NZ (3) and PINSEEKER NZ (4).

Selections: 2-4-3-1

Trifecta: 2 / 1,3,4 / 1,3,4

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Race 5

It could certainly be a bounce back for the highly talented SPARKLING SEA (2) but it would hard to butter up at $1.35 after her recent defeat. FAKE FRIENDS (7) should fly the gate and is the most likely leader. At her first run for Grimson, she led all the way in an easier race to win in 1:51.9, 54.6. YIRRADIVA (4) is smashing the clock right now and she was hitting the line as well as anything in the Gold Bracelet Final when finishing fourth. Harrison Ross picks up the drive and will watch things unfold before making a move.

Selections: 4-7-2-3

YIRRADIVA (4) to win

FAKE FRIENDS (7) to win

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Race 6

A FFA trotters mobile event over 2300m where the class trotter WATTS UP PARTYTIME (10) draws barrier nine. He has won three from five this prep and was last seen on March 14 finishing fifth in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile (1609m) won by the champ Keayang Zahara in 1:51.5. If he brings any of his recent form, he is going to be hard to beat.

SUNSET HILL NZ (3) gets a nice inside draw to be prominent and despite his relative inexperience compared to his rivals, he looks right in this. CONSTANTINOPLE (11) has plenty of class and will appreciate this grade, while Chris Svanosio’s pair of KYVALLEY MAVEN (5) and GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (6) have each-way claims.

Selections: 10-3-5-11

WATTS UP PARTYTIME (10) to win

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Race 7

The 4YO Trotters Foundation Final (1609m) has a short-priced favourite in I AM HELLBOUND (5) who has won two of his last three starts. He won in 1:55.0 and 1:55.2 before finishing third to Rakero Blaze in a 2300m stand. Back to a mile and the mobile, the gelding is going to take plenty of beating.

The danger is KYVALLEY JUDGE (4) who has been racing against easier company in Victoria. He did run home in 56.2 seconds at Bendigo recently, and with the price differential, I am happy to side with the Victorian. He has only raced six times for four starts and should continue to get better with race experience.

ORIA (2) looks next best in a race that should be dominated by the favoured pair.

Selections: 4-5-2-3

KYVALLEY JUDGE (4) to win

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Albion Park

Race 6

The Benstud Standardbreds Open Pace (2138m) sees the return of SPEAK THE TRUTH (6) after a pair of Menangle runs. Prior to the trip south, he had won three in a line and will be hoping to get back to his winning ways by returning to Albion Park. He looks the testing material in this grade and the small field of six gives him options.

TIMS A TROOPER (4) continues to race well without winning and besides the favourite, this is easier than recent starts. He doesn’t win out of turn but will bob up from time to time and could claim this race if things pan out. FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (5) has impressive recent splits and looks the other key winning chance in the race. TIGER BAND WAGON (2) is next best and has upset claims.

Selections: 6-4-5-2

SPEAK THE TRUTH (6) to win

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by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink