Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 18th April

The Listed Sibelia Stakes at Menangle headlines Saturday’s harness racing action in Australia.

In addition to Menangle, Bendigo has some quality harness racing with resuming trotter Tracy The Jet. Emma Stewart is rolling out some Oaks-bound talent with Arrhythmia and Willows Girl lining up in separate events.

We will also look at some Saturday harness racing best bets from Port Pirie and Narrogin.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets April 18

Menangle

Race 2

The FFA event boasts some serious talent and CHASE A DREAM NZ (9) is having his first run since the Group 1 Miracle Mile (1609m) won by Leap To Fame. Prior to that, he was second in the Group 2 International Animal Health Sprint (1609m) also won by the champ. A pair of trials should have kept his fitness up to the mark. He looks very hard to beat here.

PINSEEKER NZ (10) is racing well, but drawing outside of the favourite will make this a much tougher task. SOUTH SEAS ROCK NZ (5) is a Jason Grimson-trained stablemate to CHASE A DREAM NZ (9) and his Australian debut was not smooth sailing despite a victory as he galloped when having the race shot to bits.

Selections: 9-10-5-1

CHASE A DREAM NZ (9) to win

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Race 5

The winner of the Listed Sibelia Stakes (1609m) will earn entry into the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on May 2. GUNNA RELOAD (5) has won both starts as a 4YO mare for Peter Rixon. Driver Will Rixon has driven her in all but one career start, and he is fresh off success in The Nullarbor when steering Max Delight to victory. She looks a big chance to find the fence and hand over to race favourite STENO (7). With the price difference on offering, I’ve got to put GUNNA RELOAD (5) on top.

STENO (7) has been runner up at her past two starts behind Nyack and Hi Manameisjeff. That form is strong and she will run a mighty race here. THE ANSWER (2) and LUX AETERNA (3) look next best.

Selections: 5-7-3-2

GUNNA RELOAD (5) to win

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Bendigo

Race 1

TRACY THE JET (9) is resuming after a successful New Zealand visit that saw her win The Ascent (1980m) comfortably. She then ran second in the Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Oaks (1980m) won by Dash Dosh. With a pair of trials under her belt, she is ready to tackle the older horses. When she is in full flight, her sectionals are the best in this race.

LOVEMETO NZ (10) demolished rivals last start, many of them are back for another crack at him. He will probably have to do it harder this week as the lead wouldn’t seem a likely option. IMPERIAL MONARCH NZ (6) is one that I could entertain at double figures. GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (5) and KEAYANG STUKA (4) are also in the mix.

TRACY THE JET (9) to win

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Race 2

We see the return of Victoria’s dominant 2YO filly ARRHYTHMIA (1) for trainer Emma Stewart. There looks to be one danger in the race in NEW SHUFFLE (5) and James Herbertson could look to try and cross the filly – if successful, we have a race on our hands!

Trying to find the best value in the race and I am hoping DAY TWO (8) can hold the favourite’s back. He is racing well, was a winner three starts back, before venturing to Wagga last start for a fifth placing in quick time. Looks a nice place chance in the race.

Selections: 1-5-8-9

DAY TWO (8) to place

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Race 3

Another Emma Stewart three-year-old filly that could be targeting Oaks races is WILLOWS GIRL (7). She won the Group 2 Gold Bracelet Final (1730m) defeating Ripples who has since won in New Zealand. She looks hard to beat but can’t tip her at the price.

IM DOWNBYTHEBEACH NZ (6) was a nice winner at his Australian debut for trainer Julie Douglas and he would love to cause a minor upset to make it three-from-three in his career. INTERPRETATION (3) is racing better than numerical form suggests and could be a nice place bet in the race at around the $4 mark. Going to play it that way and also have a Trifecta in the race.

Selections: 7-6-3-2

INTERPRETATION (3) to place

Trifecta: 6,7 / 3,6,7 / 1,2,3,6,7

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Race 5

Looking forward to seeing what KEAYANG RENEGADE (5) does here. Unbeaten from four starts, he won in 1:52.9 last start and has a massive future. Not keen to bet into the race though.

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Port Pirie

Race 3

The Listed Port Pirie Trotters Cup (2530m) looks a competitive event and STOCKMAN PETER (6) will be trying to take advantage of his 20m handicap. He has won eight races from 27 starts and defeated MEADOW VALLEY STAR (10) and ALDEBARAN DEXTA (9) last start. A repeat of last start’s victory would see him hard to beat again.

MEADOW VALLEY STAR (10) has been runner up at his last three starts, including the latest behind Jilliby Ballerini at Terang. That was an enormous run and he has very strong claims here. ALL THE TRIX (7) is close to double figures but don’t count him out as he can win, as can ALDEBARAN DEXTA (9).

Selections: 6-10-7-9

STOCKMAN PETER (6) to win

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Race 5

The Listed Port Pirie Pacing Cup (2530m) looks a terrific contest and I’ll side with the Ryan Hryhorec-trained LORD ZARIAS NZ (3) who will be driven by Dani Hill. He should be able to find the fence first and last year he rated 1:56.7, a track record for this course and distance. He has finished on the podium in four of five starts at Port Pirie and has two wins from seven attempts in staying races.

HEZA PUNK ROCKER NZ (4) is favourite and has strong claims again. DHAULAGIRI NZ (7) has an awkward draw but with some luck, he can take out the race.

Selections: 3-4-7-10

LORD ZARIAS NZ (3) to win

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Narrogin

Race 4

The last run by HUGHEY (6) was excellent and driver Lauren Harper is likely to adopt a similar tactic of sitting back and coming with one run. The class runner of the field has options though, as seven runs ago, he was forced to breeze in a slick 1:54.1 for this grade when beaten 18.8m. This isn’t his preferred distance being a sprint race but it’s the right sort of opposition that could see him bob up for a win.

MONEY WELL SPENT NZ (4) won two starts back by a space at Wagin before a second where she did beat home HUGHEY (6), but that horse was the better run. HEAD OFFICE (2) has a trainer change and she is racing well in stronger races. Very open race though.

Selections: 6-4-2-7

HUGHEY (6) to win

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Race 6

A standing start race with seven runners and six of them can win. For the third-straight time, STRIKING A DEAL (2) has opened way too short and should drift before race time. I SEE FIRE (3) hasn’t been far away in recent events, often finishing in the top four or five, generally beaten 12m or so. He doesn’t win out of turn but tonight’s event could see him return to winning form. Abbey Vidovich picks up the drive again and the unlucky Bunbury run two starts ago suggests he can be in the finish.

JILL MACH (4) and BREWERY LANE (5) love stand racing and both have strong claims of success. GOLD HORSESHOE (7) has the most career wins in the field and the 30m handicap suits.

Selections: 3-5-4-7

I SEE FIRE (3) to win

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For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink