Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 25th July

In the aftermath of a thrilling Inter Dominion Championship, there is still plenty of quality harness racing this weekend. Here are our Saturday harness racing best bets for July 25.

Last week’s Inter Dominion pacing final lived up to the hype with Captains Mistress reigning supreme. Leap To Fame was brave in defeat and we can’t wait to see the pair clash again in the future.

This week, Melton hosts the Vale Brian Markovic Free For All as Emma Stewart’s duo of Some American and Let Her Roll clash with Catch A Wave.

Menangle’s FFA event looks competitive and the Stylish Memphis Stakes for the mares is run at Listed level. The 2YO event has a horse that I have been following since the trials and is worth some coverage.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets July 25

Melton

Race 2

SOME AMERICAN (2) should pounce straight to the lead and if Mark Pitt holds that spot, the entire will be hard to beat. My concern is that sometimes Emma Stewart runners like to hand up to their stablemates, so I would be a little cautious. On paper, Some American should lead over the sprint trip and prove very hard to run down.

LET HER ROLL (4) is second up from a spell and it was a great return to racing when finishing third to stablemate Cigano. James Herbertson picks up the drive and she should be dangerous late. CATCH A WAVE (9) follows Some American at the start. The risk is being caught in the breeze because I don’t think he can win from there. If he was able to receive cover, he will sprint strongly late. JACKS ULTIMATE FURY NZ (3) is next best.

Selections: 2-4-9-3

SOME AMERICAN (2) to win

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Menangle

Race 1

BETTER ECLIPSE (3) is an eight-year-old that has raced everywhere in his career. He had no luck last time in this class when being held up. He finally gets a good barrier draw at Menangle after constantly drawing eight or wider, and that will hopefully bring a change of fortune. He has good closing speed, so if he can land some cover in the run, he should have something to offer late.

NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (1) has won three of his past four starts, with the only blemish in that time coming last week when beaten as a $1.45 favourite. He should lead or trail and run a big race from the good draw. JORGE STREET (4) drops in class and gets Jett Turnbull back. Lots to like about his prospects. DESSIE GEE (6) beat No Notthebuttons last week and has each-way claims.

Selections: 3-4-1-6

BETTER ECLIPSE (3) to win

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Race 3

PICCADILLY PETE NZ (3) has been around the mark in recent runs, finishing third and fourth. Despite barrier two, the speed map probably won’t be the best, so he is going to need luck. If everything worked out, he could surprise at double figures. Happy to take him on trust at the price, but I don’t have a great deal of confidence in this race.

SMOKEN ACE NZ (9) joins Jarrod Alchin and he should run a strong race second-up from a spell. There was nothing wrong with the effort last start and with any improvement, he can be in the finish. RIPP (10) and GLITTER AINT GOLD (11) are the class runners of the field, so I am expecting both to perform well. I am just not interested in them at the price as both are $2.60.

Selections: 3-9-10-11

PICCADILLY PETE NZ (3) each way

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Race 6

LUX AETERNA (8) is the class mare of the field by quite a margin and hopefully she can get the major prize here. She finished second behind star mare Eye Keep Smiling in the Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park last week. She has won 10 times from 21 starts at Menangle and the small field should suit. Looks hard to hold out in this race.

CAN BE A RUEBE NZ (5) is probably the most logical leader in the race and she was unplaced as a $1.80 favourite back in May. She was covering ground three-wide in a quick first quarter and that explains the run. She then had a spell and has trialled well in preparation for this. ISLA ROCHELLE (7) is honest and JILLIBY ILLUMINATE NZ (4) looks to have place claims.

Selections: 8-5-7-4

LUX AETERNA (8) to win

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Race 7

BLISSFUL LOVER (3) was very impressive winning on debut at Bathurst by a huge margin, rating 1:57.2, 55.5, 27.3. He looks like he can find the front and prove hard to run down. He had previously been trialling well before that debut run, so it was no surprise to see him perform in such a manner.

TINY PRANCER (4) looks the obvious danger after winning from the breeze over the last 800m in 1:56.0. GORDONS GHOST (8) looks more of a place hope and the market reflects that.

Selections: 3-4-8-6

BLISSFUL LOVER (3) to win

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Albion Park

Race 6

GOLDEN FIRE NZ (1) will lead for fun and she reunites with Nathan Dawson. There may be the temptation to hand up to Bella Danza. Whether she leads or trails, based on her last two runs, Golden Fire should be hard to beat.

BELLA DANZA (5) is a much better mare on the pegs, so if she finds the front, she will take some catching. If she cannot lead, she is likely to be vulnerable. LUVARESCHS (2) is racing well, winning two of her past three starts, so she looks to have strong place claims.

Selections: 1-5-2-6

GOLDEN FIRE NZ (1) to win

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Northam

Race 1

RAVENOUS (10) has been racing against much stronger 3YO company and this is a fair drop back in class. He will have to overcome the worst draw over the sprint distance which does concern, but based on talent, he looks hard to beat for Brett Smith. Most of his recent sectionals are quicker than any horse in the race.

TSUNAMI WAVE (7) is a filly that is showing some improvement. The last run in particular was eye catching as she found the line well in a slick last half. To finish 13.7m from a good horse in Proposition Joe is promising. WESSY KID (5) almost broke the maiden last start and looms as an each-way prospect.

Selections: 10-7-5-2

RAVENOUS (10) to win

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Race 2

BET IM HOT NZ (3) beat all bar one runner last start and should get an easy lead here. Dropping back to 1780m from 2130m looks ideal and her two main dangers have drawn barriers six and 10. She probably won’t get a better chance to notch that first victory than around Northam which suits frontrunning.

ROSIES BETTOR (10) resumes and she has already won. She looks to have the most talent in the race, it’s just being first-up from a bad draw that is the big concern. SHEZABECA (6) is racing well and looks the best roughie in the race – she can win if things are run to suit.

Selections: 3-10-6-9

BET IM HOT NZ (3) to win

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Race 7

GOODONYA MATE (7) will need luck from the inside of the back row but he should be able to finish strongly if there is any daylight. Last start he met stronger opposition and still finished well enough which was encouraging. Four of his nine victories have come at this track too. At double-figure odds, he is worth a ticket.

JORDANO (2) and MONTERIO (3) can show gate speed and the pegs would give either horse a strong chance of victory. BEALAWYER (8) hasn’t been too far away lately and he could bob up in a race like this.

Selections: 7-2-8-3

GOODONYA MATE (7) each way

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For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink