Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 23rd May

Captains Mistress brings the star power for our Saturday harness racing best bets piece as we preview the best races in Australia.

Trainer Jason Grimson has two stars on display in the FFA at Menangle with Captains Mistress and Hi Manameisjeff facing each other. Seasider and Pinseeker will also compete in the race as they face an uphill battle against the Grimson pair.

The Go Girlfriend Final for mares is a $30,600 feature event which sees Snap Shot as the dominant favourite for Brad Hewitt.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets May 23

Menangle

Race 2

STENO (9) is racing in career-best form for Luke McCarthy following a second placing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile won by the freakish Captains Mistress. Prior to that, she was victorious when sprinting home in 53.7, 25.7. She continues to add strings to her bow, once a horse that normally needed to lead in order to win, she can now be driven cold and race in a sit-sprint fashion. She looks hardest to beat here.

SUGAR PIE HONEY (7) was a big win from the breeze last start in 1:50.2 and has each-way claims here. Both TOKYO ROSE NZ (8) and GUNNA RELOAD (10) are right in the mix as they are racing well. SOHO AMERICANO (11) resumes but may need the run and the barrier is against her tonight.

Selections: 9-7-10-8

STENO (9) to win

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Race 3

WICKED CONFESSION (10) stamped herself as a serious talent when capturing the Running of the Bulls at Birchip. She won at Menangle three runs back in 1:51.6 and her two runs in defeat since then have been enormous. She just missed against Eye Keep Smiling in the Robin Dundee Stakes and then finished third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile. Despite the bad starting barrier, her speed should see her prove hard to hold out late.

CYNICAL (3) has won his past five starts and looks the most likely leader in the race. He can sprint a quick quarter, so if he gets away with a cheap middle half, he might prove too slick on the way home. RIVERA LOU (2) has each-way claims in the race and will appreciate a nice draw, while ISLA ROCHELLE (4) and LAYDEN (8) have smaller claims.

Selections: 10-3-2-8

WICKED CONFESSION (10) to win

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Race 4

SNAP SHOT NZ (7) smashed the clock in her Wagga heat victory, making a run down the back straight from back in the field to quickly range up to them during a 26.9 third quarter. Her personal sectionals were 1:52.1, 54.4, which is excellent. She looks hardest to beat in the final.

WHERE BACK (2) can fly the gate and has been racing well, including a brave second in her Menangle heat. If Will Rixon can find the fence, she can run a strong race and has each-way claims. FLOJOS BEST (4) was a good effort behind the favourite in the Wagga heat and has each-way claims in the final. Next best is PRINCESS BALLERINA (1), BETTINE (3) and SEASIDE BOULEVARD (5).

Selections: 7-2-4-5

SNAP SHOT NZ (7) to win

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Race 5

CAPTAINS MISTRESS NZ (8) is the $1.28 favourite and it’s pretty easy to see why with her recent resume. She will lead and dictate from that position. Hart will drop the accelerator when required and it’s hard to see any horse catching her.

SEASIDER (1) can show decent gate speed and hoping he doesn’t get buried on the pegs. He is racing in tremendous form and has excellent closing speed. Two starts back he won the $150,000 TAB Regional Championship over 2300m and then ran third behind HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (10) last start. He smashed the clock after racing 5 back on the pegs. With some luck, he looks the place value in the race.

HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (10) is the obvious horse to run second but if he doesn’t find the pegs, he may find it hard to run into that position when the sprint goes on. HUTA NZ (4), CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (6) and PINSEEKER NZ (9) look the other key place hopes.

Selections: 8-1-10-4

SEASIDER (1) to place

Exacta: 8 / 1

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Race 8

I AM HELLBOUND (4) has won five races from 12 this season for Scott Hewitt, including his past two at the track. He has gate speed and should be looking for a prominent position on the speed in this contest which looks competitive. He carved out fast sectionals in his latest win and should go close from barrier three.

LONDON TO A BRICK (8) is a brilliant trotter when right and James Rattray will be hoping he has the gelding right for this contest after a pair of trial victories leading into this. CONSTANTINOPLE (9) loves these conditions and has each-way claims. Big watch on PARAMOUNT KIWI NZ (1) who galloped at his Australian debut – gets barrier one and if he trots, will be a huge threat in this.

Selections: 4-8-9-1

I AM HELLBOUND (4) to win

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Melton

Race 4

KEAYANG RENEGADE (9) puts his unbeaten streak on the line as he seeks a seventh victory. He has run 54 last halves at his past three runs and will be relying on that sheer speed in order to beat rivals. Jason Lee will either sit in the moving line and come with one run or look to sit parked outside SOME AMERICAN (6) who should be the leader.

SOME AMERICAN (6) has raced 26 times but won less races than his main rival here, with five career victories to his name. He has raced against the best of his age group when he was younger and also conquered them in the Breeders Crown Final as a 3YO. His recent trials have been exceptional, so he is a serious threat to the favourite. LE BELLE BIJOUX (3) and PESCI (5) look next best but they are probably running for a place at best.

Selections: 9-6-5-3

KEAYANG RENEGADE (9) to win

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Race 7

OLIVER DAN (2) will trail and look to use the sprint lane in order to claim victory. He doesn’t win often these days after starting his career in strong fashion, but continues to race consistently, rarely beaten far – the last five defeats have come by 6m or less. Racing in the trail may sharpen him up and I could see him causing a mini upset in the FFA.

MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (1) will lead over the sprint distance which is what he did to win the Geelong Rocket two starts back. He then contested a 1200m race and I like to just put the pen through that form, regardless of whether it’s a great run or not. He looks hardest to beat but the price looks skinny enough in a race with three winning hopes. BAY OF BISCAY (6) won The Eureka last year and is slowly working into his prep. Both runs have been good and if he’s ready to go, he could sit parked and still win. TRIPLE EIGHT NZ (4) won’t be suited despite the small field and ABOUTTIME (3) is just making up the numbers.

Selections: 2-1-6-4

OLIVER DAN (2) to win

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Albion Park

Race 3

TIMS A TROOPER (9) was too tough last start, facing the breeze and just holding off MANILA PLAYBOY (8) and ATTACHMENT (6). Grant Dixon is likely to adopt similar tactics here if he can’t land a forward position in the moving line. He has the most career wins in the field and would love to notch another and take his earnings past $600,000.

IM THE FALCON NZ (3) was runner up last start and Pete McMullen may try to use his gate speed to find the fence. That will depend on the two horses drawn inside, especially JIMARTEE (2) who led last start but has lost form, so could be driven more quietly. ATTACHMENT (6) and DASHING (7) have wide draws but are good enough to win. DISTRICT ATTORNEY (1) can improve from the inside barrier.

Selections: 9-3-6-1

TIMS A TROOPER (9) to win

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For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink