Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 30th May
Harness racing best bets and tips for Saturday.
Wagga and Albion Park host plenty of feature races and that’s our focus for our Saturday harness racing best bets on May 30.
The Nutrien Classic Sales Race Series is held at Wagga with eight races all run at Listed Classic level. A total of $1 million in prizemoney is up for grabs across the program.
Albion Park hosts Qbred Breeders Classic Finals, as well as Consolations, and support races as part of an 11-race card.
Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets May 30
Wagga
Race 1
KAHULA (10) was the run of the race in the lead up, which was also her race debut, recording personal sectionals of 1:54.4, 55.5, 27.3. Beginning from barrier two on the second row, she can settle closer in the run and can be put into the race here. She looks the hardest to beat from the Emma Stewart stable.
SHES A DELANEY (8) is the logical danger and will need to burn across early to try and get ahead of her main danger. If she ends up behind KAHULA (10) in the run, then I don’t think she can beat her. DECOUPAGE (3) has place claims at best. KOOKY (1) and CANDY GIRL MARLEY (2) draw well and could run a minor placing.
Selections: 10-8-3-1
KAHULA (10) to win
Race 2
SMACK BANG BART (4) could not have impressed any more than he did on debut, sitting parked outside CARDIGAN JEM (10) to win in 1:53.5. With Jason Lee picking up the drive, the lead should be up for grabs and if he can hit the peg line, he is going to take a stack of beating if he shows any progression. The concern is that the heat run could have flattened him a little bit.
CARDIGAN JEM (10) might enjoy either having something to chase or sitting parked and Emma Stewart can peak them for juvenile feature races. Lots of winning hopes here and it’s hard to narrow them down in order as the barrier draw has made it competitive. INTEMPERANCE (5) could get a nice run with some cover in the moving line. DISTURBANCE (12) can run home strongly. TUAPEKA GOLD (13) had no luck last time and should be strong in the run home.
Selections: 4-10-5-12
SMACK BANG BART (4) to win
Race 3
VERBICI (4) has been impressive winning both career starts. He won the prelude in comfortable fashion, winning under a hold as he warmed up late with a 28.2 final quarter. He should find the lead again and will prove extremely hard to beat at short odds.
SUMTHIN DIFFERENT (5) finished second in that same event and has strong place claims in the race. REGAL GALA (6) made a mistake in the prelude. If he has better manners, he is a strong contender for a top three finish. SAN ANTONIO (1) and CORPORATE AFFAIRS (7) are next best.
Selections: 4-5-6-7
SUMTHIN DIFFERENT (5) each way
Race 4
KYVALLEY DIXON (3) was a good debut effort in the prelude, finishing in third place behind BUMPER CROP (6) and IM FRANKEE (7). With the benefit of race experience and a soft run throughout, the Brent Lilley-trained filly could surprise at double figures. Happy to be with her on an each-way basis despite others in the race looking to have better chances on paper.
BUMPER CROP (6) won well from the breeze, but it was noted that she paced in the score up. That’s the second time in two starts she has done that, so her manners could be something to watch in the final. $2.30 seems a bit thin for me. ALDEBARAN EMJAY (2) won at Geelong on debut and gets the good draw with James Herbertson driving for David Miles. Strong claims for her, as well as IM FRANKEE (7).
Selections: 3-6-2-7
KYVALLEY DIXON (3) each way
Race 5
JILLIBY AURA (2) looks a strong chance to run to the lead and will prove hard to beat. She was runner up in the Group 1 NSW Trotters Oaks and then galloped in the prelude of this series. With that in mind, I can’t take $1.60, but I don’t really want to be against her either. Prefer just to sit back and watch this race.
ALDEBARAN ADA (5) is the obvious danger as she was third in the Oaks and won the prelude. DESIRING DIAMONDS (3) and HALLEBESOFINE (7) have smaller claims but will be relying on the leading duo to make a mistake or underperform.
Selections: 2-5-7-3
Race 6
MUNNY THE MUNSTER (2) looks the hardest to beat following the barrier draw but he isn’t quick off the gate. If Stacey Towers can get him to press forward to take up the running, then the gelding becomes the horse to beat. If they get caught in the breeze, they could be a sitting duck for the back row runners HAMMER (9), HOWDY MATE (10) and THE PREACHER (11).
THE PREACHER (11) toppled the favourite in the prelude and could do it again. He has barrier three on the second line to begin from so will be further back in the run, but he was dragged back and made up a lot of ground before winning by 8m. Champion driver Chris Alford will be in the sulky just like the prelude. HOWDY MATE (10) and HAMMER (9) can both win too.
Selections: 2-11-10-9
MUNNY THE MUNSTER (2) to win
Race 7
DEVIOUS MINDS (1) comes up with the perfect draw for Robert Morris to seek cover on a suitable rival. She has good gate speed and they tried leading in the Group 2 Gold Bracelet Final won by WILLOWS GIRL (14) but that didn’t suit the filly. Her heat run showed that racing with cover and waiting for the sprint lane is ideal. Has each-way claims.
EYE WISH (7) tried hard in the heat and was an excellent run in defeat. She consistently runs well and will likely be driven aggressively early to find a forward position, and possibly the lead. WILLOWS GIRL (14) has the most wins in the field and has won at Group 2 level. She has a terrible draw but is good enough to still win. GO EASY ON ME (12) is versatile and that bodes well for her chances. COMPLETE STRANGER (9) looks next best from the soft pegs run.
Selections: 1-7-14-12
DEVIOUS MINDS (1) each way
Race 8
HOLLYWOOD STRIP (4) should lead and win. Can’t tip anyone into him at the price. ANDRETTI (6) beat him for pace in the heat but didn’t look to be urged to try and cross – so they may try in the final. This isn’t a race that I am keen to get involved in, so prefer to just watch it.
SAN SEBASTIAN (2), ANDRETTI (6), CARDIGAN DAN (7) and BROOKLYN DAN (13) look the main dangers to the dominant favourite, but they may be running for a minor placing.
Selections: 4-7-13-6
Albion Park
Race 2
IDEAL BRONSKI (11) and FIRE AND PASSION (1) smashed the clock in their heat as the hit the line locked together, just a half-head separating the pair in 1:52.1, 55.5. This was easily the fastest heat of the series and with barrier one, FIRE AND PASSION (1) should prove hard to beat. He is a good frontrunner and should be leading here.
BARSBY (6) or IDEAL BRONSKI (11) should race outside the leader and that position will make it harder for them to topple the favourite. Outside of that trio, it would be a huge upset to see someone else win as there is a distinct class and speed edge to the trio.
Selections: 1-11-6-8
FIRE AND PASSION (1) to win
Race 5
STRIPES (5) is the filly that Pete McMullen has opted to drive for the race and she should spear across searching for the front. Expecting the map to be her leading with RUBY RHAYNE BOW (2) on her back. STRIPES (5) has shown the most ability to date and will prove hard to beat here after winning in 1:53.8. She has previously saluted in 1:52.0, 54.5 from the breeze.
ZEEZEEZOOM (9) has place claims in the race and AMYLEE (3) is an each-way prospect if she gains a start – she lacks early pace so won’t stop the favourite from crossing if she does gain a run.
Selections: 5-2-9-4
STRIPES (5) to win
Race 6
YIPPEE KIYAY (1) has the speed to lead but could take a sit on BET HES SWEET (3) because there will be pressure coming with PARISIAN HUSTLER (5) and BETTOR ONE (6) both engaged.
PARISIAN HUSTLER (5) looks the value as the map could work out well by going forward and obtaining some 1 out 1 back cover on BETTOR ONE (6). Shane Graham’s gelding has won two of his four starts and was brave when finishing a narrow third from the death seat. With some potential cover here, he could have the last crack at them.
Selections: 5-3-11-6
PARISIAN HUSTLER (5) each way
Race 7
SHINE LIKE ME (4) will try to find the lead as she draws best of the main hopes. If she finds the fence, she will prove extremely hard to beat, otherwise she could be vulnerable. Her price is looking short enough at $1.80.
REBECCA RHAYNE BOW (10) and HARPER DELIGHT (9) are the obvious dangers in the race. Every other runner is still a maiden, which makes this a big test for them. TACTIQUE (2) wasn’t good enough in the heat, finishing fourth after a nice soft trip but she gets Angus Garrard for this and looks to have place value claims. I would suggest only having something very small on the win, but this is mostly a place suggestion as she has an economical run and tries to cling onto a top three spot.
Selections: 4-10-9-2
TACTIQUE (2) each way
For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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