Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 28th March

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Bathurst has a stacked 10-race card headlined by the Gold Crown and Gold Tiara Finals.

Both races are run at Group 1 level with prizemoney worth $150,000 for the 2YOs. In addition, a pair of Group 2 finals worth $100,000 for 3YOs will be run – the Gold Chalice Final and Gold Bracelet Final.

Finally, the trotters compete in the $60,000 Gold Coronet Final.

Here is our preview for all 10 races held at Bathurst on Saturday night.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets March 28

Race 1

The Gold Tiara Gold Consolation (1730m) has a short-priced favourite in BETTORCHECKHEROUT (1) which is no surprise. She has the inside barrier and has been racing well from the breeze despite a pair of losses as an odds-on favourite. One concern is the risk of her being crossed. Either way, she will be hard to beat.

OUTTA THE ORDINARY (11) caught the eye, finishing strongly to finish in fourth place, just 1.3m behind BETTORCHECKHEROUT (1). Will need luck from the bad draw but looks a great each-way play in the race. INTIMATE DANGER (9) did things wrong on debut. When she paced, she looked to have some ability so could surprise in this.

Selections: 1-11-9-2

OUTTA THE ORDINARY (11) each way

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Race 2

The Gold Crown Final is unfortunately missing DON HUNTER (3) after he had to face the breeze in a 1:53.9 mile rate and finished in third place. He looks to have the Gold Crown Gold Consolation (1730m) at his mercy now as he should press on to the lead and will take some catching as a $1.25 favourite.

Looking at horses that might fill the minor placings behind the favourite, BORDENTOWN (1) was a good run in the heats and gets a soft trip here. SEASTRIKE (2) finished just ahead of BORDENTOWN (1) and should be a strong place contender. THE MYTEE DUCK (4) is the other key chance to fill the placings and have to throw in SCAR STRUCK (6).

Selections: 3-1-2-4

BORDENTOWN (1) to place

Trifecta: 3 / 1,2,4 / 1,2,4,6

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Race 3

The Bathurst Mayors Cup (2260m) is for the older horses and RIPP (10) was very impressive winning the Smooth Satin Pacing Cup (2260m) on Wednesday by 11.4m in 1:55.1. He looks extremely hard to beat in this event as he can be put into the race when the time is right.

ALFNALMA (4) could be looking for the lead with Jett Turnbull sticking solid rather than driving NOSAER (3), GLITTER AINT GOLD (8) and WHERES THE GOLD NZ (9). All of those Nathan Turnbull-trained runners could run into the minor placings or even win if RIPP (10) doesn’t back up from his brilliant midweek victory.

Selections: 10-3-8-9

RIPP (10) to win

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Race 4

SPARKLING SEA (2) is the $1.35 favourite, and it’s easy to see why after drawing perfectly in barrier two. She won her heat by 9.1m in 1:53.0, 54.7, 26.9. She has good gate speed that isn’t blistering. RIPPLES NZ (8) looks the quickest off the arm and could try and cross early, although I think Luke McCarthy might consider taking a trail if SPARKLING SEA (2) comes knocking. Regardless, the favourite looks a very strong chance to find the top.

Following her brilliant win in the Listed JL Raith Memorial (1609m) two starts ago in 1:51.1, SPARKLING SEA (2) is the obvious top pick and will be very hard to beat. WILLOWS GIRL (7) has each-way claims in the race, while DEVIOUS MINDS (1) and CAPTURE OUR HEART NZ (9) are place chances from their peg line draws.

Selections: 2-7-8-1

Trifecta: 2 / 1,7,8 / 1,3,7,8,9

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Race 5

Expecting an early speed battle between YOTTIE (2), BROOKLYN DAN (3) and SOHO CHARMER (4). HOLLYWOOD STRIP (6) should sit parked outside one of those horses and is clearly the horse to beat still. At the prices on offer, YOTTIE (2) has the most appeal and Bernie Hewitt will have options. He was sensational in his heat, racing outside the leader to win in 1:51.6, 53.5, 27.5. That includes a 26.0 third quarter. Whether he finds the pegs or tries to race 1 out 1 back behind the favourite, he should go close to winning.

It would be a shock if a horse outside of those already mentioned were to win this race based on the barrier draws.

Selections: 6-2-4-3

YOTTIE (2) to win

Trifecta: 2,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 2,3,4,6

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Race 6

SOHO ASTER (4) started her career with a victory and Michael Stanley will be looking to repeat the dose by leading throughout. He will be looking to use the barrier advantage over BIRDSONG (9). LEXY BELLE (5) may look to try and cross the field in order to take a trail behind SOHO ASTER (4) which would give her place claims at odds.

With the likely better run throughout, I am putting SOHO ASTER (4) on top. BIRDSONG (9) is the obvious danger, while WALLABY WAY (1), LEXY BELLE (5) and ROCKLEIGHS LEGACY (11) look the best place hopes.

Selections: 4-9-5-11

SOHO ASTER to win

Trifecta: 4,9 / 4,5,9 / 1,4,5,9,11

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Race 7

Following the barrier draw, the Victorian pair of JACWILL KID (1) and TAKE THE MIKI (3) is where I want to be. The gate speed of the inside horse will be the concern as he won’t want to be crossed multiple times. For that reason, I will give the nod to TAKE THE MIKI (3) for trainer Matthew Craven. He has been winning with a sit but could be looking to try and get the lead if a horse out wider crosses him. GOCCIADORO (9) was excellent winning at Wagga before being slightly disappointing when second to ATOMIK CRUNCH (11). Has each-way claims in the race. Smaller hope to ELECTRICUTE (4).

Selections: 3-1-9-4

TAKE THE MIKI (3) to win

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Race 8

Manners were a concern for a few of the main fancies in their heats and I am trying to find a trotter that will hopefully trot the whole way. CEE CEE IN PARIS (10) has put together a pair of wins and was very impressive winning by 28.5m in her heat. She starts from barrier two on the second row and should be a strong contender based on her 1:57.9 victory. NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY (11), IM HAVINTOTROT (9), GLADIATRIX (8) and DEEP LOVE NZ (6) are all in the market and can win if they behave.

Selections: 10-9-11-6

CEE CEE IN PARIS (10) to win

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Race 9

The Gold Chalice Consolation (1730m) barrier draw has fallen in the favour of SOHO WASHINGTON (1) and REWATCH (2). SOHO WASHINGTON (1) took a trail in the heat and was then dragged back, losing valuable ground. It could be a more aggressive Michael Stanley here looking to hold up from the inside draw. He has been racing well without winning and will be looking to break back into the winner’s circle.

DYNAMITEDAN (11) was only first up when he couldn’t match Yottie and Soho Trump in a very fast 1:51.6 mile rate. With added fitness, he should be improved again heading into this. REWATCH (2) is ticking along nicely and has strong claims while MAXO MIGHTY (10) and SENTOSAR (7) have each-way claims in the race.

Selections: 1-11-2-7

SOHO WASHINGTON (1) to win

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Race 10

A perfect race for PERFECTDELIGHT (12) to land her second career win at start 14. She has done the bulk of her recent racing against the best of her age group and thoroughly deserves a win. This can be considered a huge class drop on anything she has contested recently and should really have no trouble dispatching this line up at very short odds.

There is a host of chances that can fill a minor placing in the event. For that reason, prefer to just watch this event and cheer on the favourite.

Selections: 12-1-4-3

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Albion Park

Race 4

The champ LEAP TO FAME (1) steps out at Albion Park after his sensational Group 1 Miracle Mile (1609m) victory. He should cruise around here to win as he likes. Worth noting, he is creeping towards the $6 million lifetime stakes mark, currently sitting on $5,883,234.

I won’t go into any further detail as Larry wins for fun as $1.04 or less and there’s quite a few that could fill the placings, but not too keen on an exotic here.

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For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink