Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 14th March

To see all the Menangle feature race analysis for Miracle Mile night, please click here to sign up for free to The Insider newsletter. 

 

Menangle hosts its biggest race night of the year with the $1 million Miracle Mile being run.

A stacked Miracle Mile field is assembled with Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Captains Mistress, The Janitor, Kingman, Bulletproof Boy, and defending champion Don Hugo competing in the Group 1 sprint.

Supporting the Miracle Mile is the Group 1 NSW Derby featuring unbeaten colt Hollywood Strip and the Group 1 Hammerhead Trotters Mile boasting champion mare Keayang Zahara.

The Group 2 Light Horse FFA and Group 3 JL Raith Memorial will also be terrific races.

Here is our preview and tips for all nine Menangle races.

Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 14th March

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Menangle

Race 1

A tricky race to kick off proceedings on Miracle Mile night is the Bubba Gump Pest Control FFA (1609m). STENO (4) can run the gate as she has been freshened up and she will press forward. Other gate speed horses include BETTERTHANCASH NZ (6), OUR GOAT (8) and CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (9).

Trainer Michael Stanley will drive THE ANSWER (3) instead of KINGMAKER NZ (11) and at close to double figures, happy to follow Stanley’s lead in the race. The five-year-old mare was a winner last time in easier company and back in November, she finished second in the Group 2 Vicbred Super Series Final (2240m) won by Kiss. Two starts back, she ripped home in 25.2 seconds behind Sky Blu. Will need some luck but should be running home strongly.

KINGMAKER NZ (11) has the outside gate but that may not stop him based on his 1:49.6 victory last start and Bailey McDonough picks up the drive which is a nice addition. Happy to back him also in a really open race. Most of the field could win this race with the right run and tempo.

Selections: 3-11-4-6

THE ANSWER (3) to win

KINGMAKER NZ (11) to win

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Race 2

HESITATE (8) was phenomenal two starts ago, capturing the Group 3 4YO Bonanza (1720m) at Melton in 1:51.2, 54.5. He then faced an impossible task in the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire (1609m) won by Captains Mistress. The personal sectionals of Luke McCarthy’s gelding were impressive, rating 1:50.4, 53.6, 25.9. He should be flying home down the long Menangle straight and looks the hardest to hold out.

DOUBLE LOU (4) also comes out of the Chariots Of Fire, finishing just behind HESITATE (8), although he didn’t have much luck. He will be looking to lead this field and from that position, he can be fighting out the finish. RIPP (6), DARIN NZ (8) and NERANO NZ (10) look next best in the race.

Selections: 8-4-6-10

HESITATE (8) to win

Quinella: 4 / 8

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Races 3 – 7

To see all the Menangle feature race analysis for Miracle Mile night, please click here to sign up for free to The Insider newsletter. 

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Race 8

SEATHESTARS (2) will have his first run for trainer Peter Rixon and will be driven by his son Will Rixon. The winner of six races from 20 starts, the four-year-old gelding was beaten a long way in the Group 2 4YO Bonanza (1720m) and that run can be forgiven. He had a Menangle trial just over a week ago, winning in 1:52.7 as they dashed home in 26.6 seconds. Rixon will be hoping to be leading or trailing the leader in this event.

SOHO GUNSLINGER (7) finds a more suitable race than his previous two where he faced Captains Mistress in both. He was a good effort in the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire (1609m) and should run a race in this. COASTAL DRIVE (10) and SWEET ON LEXY (8) have each-way claims in the race.

Selections: 2-7-10-8

SEATHESTARS (2) to win

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Race 9

A match race between the Jason Grimson-trained TOKYO ROSE NZ (6) and the Luke McCarthy-trained EYE KEEP SMILING (7). It will be a shock if one of the two doesn’t win the race given their class and speed.

TOKYO ROSE NZ (6) has already won three races at Menangle in under 1:50, including a 1:49.4 where she ran home in 52.8 seconds. She doesn’t fly the gate, but the key will be staying in front of her main rival to take the lead. Whether she rolls along in front or takes a sit, she is going to be fighting out the finish.

EYE KEEP SMILING (7) is the class runner of the field, a winner of 28 races and more than $830,000 in prize money. After a pair of runs behind Captains Mistress where she got belted, so did everyone else to be fair, the six-year-old mare was just 5.8m away from The Janitor in the Bioworma Sprint run in 1:49.3. With confidence back, she should run a huge race.

REASON TO SHINE (4) looks the most likely to run third.

Selections: 6-7-4-3

TOKYO ROSE NZ (6) to win

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Albion Park

Race 3

An interesting open class mares’ event as NSW visitor LUX AETERNA (2) returns to a track where she has raced seven times for two victories, including a December visit where she captured the Group 3 Forever Gold Mares (1660m). Nathan Dawson is back in the sulky and from barrier two, they will have options.

POST PAINTER NZ (3) is flying, winning five of her past six starts, with the latest being a 1:51.4 victory. She is capable of working hard in her races so won’t be bothered by the map from barrier three. She can give the NSW mare a big run for her money. TREMENDOUS SENSATION NZ (10) can run good time and should be thundering home in the race, while PLATINUM JEWEL (1) will enjoy barrier one.

Selections: 2-3-10-1

LUX AETERNA (2) to win

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For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink