Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 4th April
Saturday harness racing best bets for April 4, 2026.
Please note that Races 5 and 6 at Wagga were first published in HarnessLink’s The Insider newsletter. From early May, these will be exclusive to The Insider. Sign up for free to view exclusive news, race previews and analysis.
Wagga is the focus on Saturday night with two $100,000 Riverina Championships Finals to be run at Listed level.
In addition, racing fans are in for a treat as NSW Derby winner Hollywood Strip takes on the older horses in the Wagga Pacers Cup.
Our Saturday best bets preview will have coverage from the main races at Melton, Launceston, as well as covering a couple of smart pacers from the Grant Dixon stable in Fate Awaits and Path To Greatness.
Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets April 4
Wagga
Race 4
NSW Derby (1609m) winner HOLLYWOOD STRIP (7) should prove too classy for rivals in the Wagga Pacers Cup (2270m). He tasted defeat for the first time in his career last week when finishing third in the Group 2 Gold Chalice Final (1730m) won by Brooklyn Dan. Brad Hewitt’s superstar still ran home in 54.0 seconds despite the 2.1m defeat. He should bully his way to the front here and lead them all the way to score a comfortable win.
MICHAYWEY (10) was a Menangle winner two starts ago in the second heat of the Autumn Gift (1609m) when rating 1:51.8, 55.0. He then ran identical splits when finishing fourth in the final won by Hugo Maguire. Will need some luck from the back row here but has solid place claims. MIKE ROSS NZ (1) has an ideal draw to finish in the placings.
Selections: 7-10-1-9
MICHAYWEY (10) to place
Race 5
It was a horror watch for Seaton Grima’s CERISE RAINBOW (7) in the heat as she handed up the lead and when trying to get past the struggling SUGAR PIE HONEY (13), they locked wheels which put an end to her chances. From barrier seven, Grima will almost certainly drive aggressively searching for the top, and there may be no hand up this time around. Prior to that run, she has been a minor placing behind Lochinvar Jag twice, the smart Tokyo Rose and FARFALLA STRIDE (9). Should prove hard to beat if she can lead.
GUNNA RELOAD (14) is a smart mare having won 12 of her 21 starts, including her last four starts. Prior to a spell, she won the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge 3YO Fillies Final (1609m) last season. She is going to have to do some work in the run here but her class will see her prove to be a huge threat. SIREN SEA (4), KIMCANDO (6), SMIRKIN SERENE (10), PEACE OUT (11) and PLATINUM JEWEL (12) all have each-way claims.
Selections: 7-14-4-10
CERISE RAINBOW (7) to win
Race 6
Trying to overcome barrier 12 will not be easy for class runner WAR DAN BUDDY (14) but his form is top-notch with a third placing in the Group 1 Kilmore Pacing Cup (2180m) won by Leap To Fame, as well as a narrow fifth behind The Janitor and Swayzee in the Group 2 Bioworma Sprint (1609m) earlier this prep. Both defeats since then have been excellent and he has strong claims with his versatility and class.
MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (10) can punch through from the second row to try and land a prominent position – it depends what the front-line speed of stablemate SOHO DARKNSTORMY (4), THALASSOPHOBIA (7) and SWEET ON LEXY (8) does at the start. SANCHEZ (2) lacks early speed which is the biggest concern for his contention in this race. HESITATE (11) and DOUBLE LOU (12) are big contenders in this race despite the second row draws.
Selections: 14-10-12-11
WAR DAN BUDDY (14) to win
Melton
Race 1
The FFA trotters in this event breathe a sigh of relief as there is no Keayang Zahara, Jilliby Ballerini or Rockinwithattitude. PINNIE (3) looks to have the gate speed to cross ALDEBARAN ACRUX USA (2) and try for an all-the-way victory. Last week, that’s exactly what transpired as PINNIE (3) set the pace to win in 1:56.8, 57.0. This is a touch harder than last week’s effort as there is more depth.
LOVEMETO NZ (9) was in excellent form prior to making a mistake in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile (1609m) last start. Two starts back he was second in the Group 1 Just Believe Grand Prix (2240m) over course and distance when facing the breeze. Looks to have very strong claims here. Other hopes to ALDEBARAN ACRUX USA (2), PINNIE (3), QUIRKY CHARACTER (6) and REMUS PHOENIX (11).
Selections: 9-3-2-11
LOVEMETO NZ (9) to win
Race 8
The FFA pacing event is a match race between three runners with The Nullarbor-bound BULLETPROOF BOY (3), last start winner FIGHTER COMMAND (5) and resuming The Eureka (2300m) winner BAY OF BISCAY (6).
BULLETPROOF BOY (3) should lead just like last start and James Herbertson will be looking to get a cheaper lead after pushing forward during a 27.1 opening quarter. If the race is devoid of early speed, he should give a big kick and prove hard to beat.
BAY OF BISCAY (6) won’t be fully wound up despite a couple of trials. His class could still see him win first-up but he will improve off whatever he does here. FIGHTER COMMAND (5) sat 1 out 1 back and pounced late to run down BULLETPROOF BOY (3), although he may be forced to race without cover at some stage in the race.
Selections: 3-6-5-1
BULLETPROOF BOY (3) to win
Launceston
Race 6
The Jane Ellen Final (2200m) is for Tasbred fillies and mares who have won two or less races. ANGEL ROCKS (9) has won two of her three career starts and she resumes without a trial. She last raced on February 1 when racing 1 out 2 back to narrowly get home and score. The sectionals from that victory are good enough to win here, it will just be a case of settling close enough and having enough fitness under the belt.
SPORT WATCHER (2) broke her maiden two starts ago and was good in her subsequent race when fourth. Looks right in this as does DAISYPEA (6) who is also first-up, although she has won a trial ahead of Zoe Ella who defeated SPORT WATCHER (2). OUR WILLOW (8) is the best roughie in the race.
Selections: 9-2-6-8
ANGEL ROCKS (9) to win
Race 7
HORATIUS SPECULO (1) gets the good draw and will be trying to hold up from the inside barrier as he has shown that he is enjoying the stands. He has won 11 races from 21 starts and continues to race well despite the opposition in front of him. Should be hardest to beat in the Easter Cup (2698m).
MAEBEE (8) was a good third behind the favourite in the heat and he has each-way claims once again from the 10m handicap for Conor Crook. PARDOE PLUGGA (5) can be scratchy from behind the tapes but when he gets it right, he always has strong claims. THE SHALLOWS (12) looks next best but others in the race can win too.
Selections: 1-8-5-12
HORATIUS SPECULO (1) to win
Race 8
The Sinbad Bay Final (2200m) is for colts, entires and geldings who have won no more than two races. ALWAYS BETTOR (5) showed plenty of talent as a two-year-old and at his first run at the age of three, he sat parked in 1:56.5 to win after sitting outside an Emma Stewart-trained runner. With that scalp and the sectional times shown, ALWAYS BETTOR (5) should be very hard to stop in this event.
BARBER SHOP (6) had a nice two-year-old campaign and looks ready for his first start as a three-year-old. Drawing outside ALWAYS BETTOR (5) is the biggest concern here. Smaller hope to SPORTZSILK (7) at odds but will need things to go right.
Selections: 5-6-7-2
ALWAYS BETTOR (5) to win
Albion Park
Race 2
The Grant Dixon-trained four-year-old gelding PATH TO GREATNESS (2) has put together a pair of wins. The first was a 2138m standing start race when racing behind the leader and dashing home in 55.0 seconds. He then led throughout as a short-priced favourite. It was a walk in the park as he dashed home in 54.5 seconds.
BUDDY PERFECT (1) should get the perfect trail in the race and has strong place claims, while APPLIED NZ (5) is in excellent form and is fairly tough. Should battle on gamely from the breeze or with some cover if SIR RICHARD LEE (7) decided to go forward.
Selections: 2-1-5-8
Trifecta: 2 / 1,5,8 / 1,5,8
Race 3
An NR 50 or better event that sees the Grant Dixon-trained four-year-old FATE AWAITS (5) racing second up from a spell. He returned with a dominant display over 2647m in a stand when rating 1:56.6, 55.0, 26.4. The 2025 Group 1 The Rising Sun (2138m) winner narrowly defied The Janitor in that event and that runner up has gone to extraordinary heights since. He should have the class to make it back-to-back wins to start this preparation.
SOHO CASABLANCA (2), MIKIS JOE (4) and TYSON NZ (6) look next best in the race, but they should be running for second place behind the favourite.
Selections: 5-6-4-2
Trifecta: 5 / 2,4,6 / 1,2,4,6,8
For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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