Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 20th June

Redcliffe takes centre stage with the Gold Cup, Derby, and Oaks, set to be run and won, as the 2026 Queensland Constellations begins.

A capacity field of 12 is set for the Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup, a 2613m standing start event.

The Group 3 Redcliffe Derby looks a competitive event with several NSW visitors contesting the race. For the Group 3 Redcliffe Oaks, the class runners Ripples and Alwaysbjoy have drawn the back row.

We will also look at the Menangle FFA featuring superstar Don Hugo as part of our Saturday tips.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets June 20

Redcliffe

Race 1

ALWAYS DANCING (2) tried hard behind FFA pacer Final Deadline last start, finishing 16.7m away. Five starts back he showed gate speed from this draw to lead and win. That looks like the likely plan here as the inside horse should be content with a trial. With the draw advantage, the four-year-old gelding should be hard to catch around Redcliffe.

JUNGLE DRAGON (6) looks the breeze horse and will be a huge threat again. Besides the top two in the market, if there is to be an upset, I’d be looking at BETTERTHAN POPSY (1) or BUDDY PERFECT (7).

Selections: 2-6-1-7

ALWAYS DANCING (2) to win

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Races 2 & 3

The favourites for both Races 2 and 3 look very hard to beat. In Race 2, SURREAL MORAN NZ (1) made his Australian debut when sitting parked to beat Aardies A Star who has since won. From the inside barrier, Grant Dixon’s lightly raced 3YO gelding should be hard to catch.

In Race 3, GREASED LIGHTNIN NZ (4) could not have been any more impressive, sitting outside the leader to win in strong fashion. Over the longer trip, I’d expect the lead to be up for grabs if he can step well and challenge the front line.

Multi: SURREAL MORAN NZ (1) & GREASED LIGHTNIN NZ (4) to win

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Race 4

DARCYS FIREBALL (5) is one of three Graham Dwyer-trained trotters in the race and Nathan Dawson has picked up the drive. Four runs back he ran a good second to stablemate KODA DA MODA (4). The front-line handicap is the key as that gives DARCYS FIREBALL (5) each-way claims at big odds. Late last year he won three in a row when Dawson was driving.

This Redcliffe Trotters Cup is really well handicapped with all but one runner $15 or under, and the favourite is $4.80. Very hard to narrow it down as I could mention most of the field. LOTUS LOUISE (2) makes the trek from NSW and has run okay against I Am Hellbound and London To A Brick which is good form. GOLDEN SUNSET (11) has 30m to overcome but has the best sectionals, along with HIDE AND SEEK (13).

Selections: 5-2-11-13

DARCYS FIREBALL (5) each way

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Race 5

ALWAYSBJOY NZ (11) has the outside of the second row to contend with, a draw that is not easy to overcome at Redcliffe. She was brilliant winning at Albion Park last week, defeating Yottie and Fire And Passion. They obliterated the clock for the final 800m. She won’t get that soft trip here but has lots of speed and should run a big race. Looks a great price for a speedy filly.

RIPPLES NZ (10) is the class filly of the field and she is the most proven, winning races in New Zealand and NSW. Looks a huge threat here. PERFECTDELIGHT (2) draws well and gets her chance, while STRIPES (5) looks next best.

Selections: 11-10-2-5

ALWAYSBJOY NZ (11) to win

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Race 6

FIRE AND PASSION (4) is the class horse of the race, having won 10 races from 17 starts. He was game in defeat last start when having an excellent battle with Yottie, which left both of them a sitting shot for Alwaysbjoy to take advantage. If he could settle close to the speed with cover, he can be dangerous.

BEROCCA BERNIE (2) looks the leader and has strong claims of victory. TIMMYTEO (1) won in 1:51.8 last time. With the soft trailing draw and the potential for some pressure, Brendan Barnes will be looking to take advantage of the sprint lane. Worth a small play at double figures. NYMBAL NZ (9) is the unknown runner from New Zealand. Plenty of other hopes too.

Selections: 4-2-1-9

FIRE AND PASSION (4) to win & TIMMYTEO (1) to win

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Race 7

COOL AND CLASSY (1) and RUBY RULES (3) is a strong one-two punch for the Grant Dixon stable in the Princess of the Bay. The former gets the barrier draw and should lead and win.

PLATINUM JEWEL (7) gets the lovely trailing draw behind the favourite and I’d put the pen through last start. She didn’t enjoy the death seat. Prior to that, she was third behind Sally Bigtime and Tremendous Sensation.

Selections: 1-7-3-2

Exacta: 1 / 7

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

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Race 8

FINAL DEADLINE NZ (9) has won both times this prep, the latest in 1:50.9, 53.3. Prior to that, he won a stand in dominant fashion when beating Jungle Dragon. Adam Sanderson will be keen to put him into the race and he’s pretty tough. Last campaign he ran second in the Group 1 Chariots of Fire won by Captains Mistress. He loves the stand with three wins from four tries.

PICCADILLY PETE NZ (4) and PATH TO GREATNESS (2) are both suited off front row draws. Expecting both of those horses to look the winner at some point. DISTRICT ATTORNEY (8) and FATE AWAITS (7) could swoop late if there is some pressure. It’s a very competitive stand where half the field have reasonable winning claims.

Selections: 9-4-2-7

FINAL DEADLINE NZ (9) to win

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Menangle

Race 5

Superstar pacer DON HUGO (10) is second-up into his campaign and the first run back was good, as he faced an impossible task but still hit the line nicely. Luke McCarthy can drive him more aggressively here and the lead could be up for grabs. He is the most accomplished horse in the race by a huge space and it would be good to see him return to the winner’s circle.

NYACK (4) was unbelievable in a midweek contest, winning in 1:49.4. He worked hard in the run where the opening half was much faster than the last half. If he hasn’t taken any toll from that gut-busting win, he will challenge the Don tonight. PINSEEKER NZ (5) is next best and has winning claims too.

Selections: 10-4-5-9

DON HUGO (10) to win

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by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink