Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 6th June

Leap To Fame steps out at Albion Park in preparation for the upcoming Inter Dominion Championship. Here are our Saturday harness racing best bets for June 6.

Freak mare Captains Mistress has barrier one in the Listed JD Watts FFA at Menangle. Her stablemate Hi Manameisjeff has drawn next door and the returning Don Hugo has barrier five.

The 3YO race on the card is stacked with Zeus Lightning, Senses, Alert Bay, The Niteshift, Seaside Boulevard, Enjabonarlo and Papi Rocks.

At Melton, we see the return of Arcee Phoenix and Mecarno in the FFA Trot. They meet Im Bobby, I Am Wilma and Keayang Stuka.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets June 6

Albion Park

Race 4

LEAP TO FAME (7) was last seen in The Race at Cambridge, obliterating a star-studded field by more than 20m. He has warmed up with a 1:49.8 trial at Albion Park in preparation for the Inter Dominion. He will find the lead and win as he pleases at short odds. It will be interesting to see if Grant Dixon opens him up late to make a statement or just gives him an easy hit out by his lofty standards.

With only two place dividends, I am not keen on the race as the draw hurts ATTACHMENT (6). If he was landing behind the champ, then I’d say he is a lock for second, but that doesn’t look the case.

Selections: 7-6-1-3

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Menangle

Race 5

CAPTAINS MISTRESS NZ (1) will lead and dictate as she pleases in the JD Watts FFA (1609m). She has been a winning machine since joining Jason Grimson, with her only blemish coming in the Group 1 Miracle Mile when fifth, held up for clear running. There will be no pressure in the race and Cam Hart will look to dash home in sub-26 seconds, making it impossible for rivals to catch.

HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (2) almost looks a lock for second place as he will trail his stablemate. Looks a good exotics option. RIPP (3) will then trail him and try to cling on for third. He lacks a super quick quarter which means superstar DON HUGO (5) might cut him down in the home straight. Will play the exotics very thin as they won’t be paying much if the expected result occurs.

Selections: 1-2-5-3

Exacta: 1 / 2

Trifecta: 1 / 2 / 3,5

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Race 7

ZEUS LIGHTNING NZ (6) should work his way to the lead in a stacked 3YO event. He was a beaten favourite in the Group 1 NSW Derby won by Hollywood Strip and had a spell before returning on May 26, winning by a space. This has a lot more depth but he will still be the testing material in the race.

ALERT BAY (4) is racing well for James Rattray and is likely to be a forgotten horse in this line up which makes his price appealing on an each-way basis. He has been runner up at his past three runs, including an NSW Derby Heat won by ZEUS LIGHTNING NZ (6). If he can find the fence or the moving line with cover, he is quick enough to run into the placings.

SENSES (5) is a smart filly and she has winning claims also. SEASIDE BOULEVARD (2) has a nice draw to be prominent. THE NITESHIFT (11) faces a tough task from the wide draw, so his unbeaten run is likely to come to an end.

Selections: 6-4-5-2

ALERT BAY (4) each way

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Race 9

LONDON TO A BRICK (7) is trying to recapture some of his best form as he is nearing a year without winning a race, although he has only lined up in six events in that time. His first-up run was good, racing 1 out 2 back and finishing 3.6m from I Am Hellbound. The smaller field this week should help his cause and he rates on top.

CONSTANTINOPLE (8) is a model of consistency, winning two of his past four starts, and he was narrowly beaten by I Am Hellbound. Gate speed is a big asset for this trotter and he looks a huge threat to go one better here. SPEEDY LOVER (4) is also very consistent. He isn’t as good as the leading pair but can bob up from time to time at double figures. I am happy to have something small on him also at odds. WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6) can mix his form and there’s two versions of this trotter.

Selections: 7-8-4-6

LONDON TO A BRICK (7) to win & SPEEDY LOVER (4) to win

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Melton

Race 1

MECARNO (4) and ARCEE PHOENIX (11) return to the races and this trot is immediately a highly anticipated race to start the Melton card. IM BOBBY (6) looks the most likely leader as he can run the gate and we haven’t seen enough gate speed from MECARNO (4) at this stage of his career.

With horses resuming, both have trialled impressively mind you, I am going to side with the race fit mare I AM WILMA (1) who will be driven by champion driver Chris Alford. She isn’t as brilliant as some of her rivals but should get a nice trial on the pegs and looks a nice each-way price in the race. She has won four races at Melton and a pair of seconds behind Rockinwithattitude are good enough to be competitive here.

Selections: 6-1-4-11

I AM WILMA (1) each way

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Race 5

FOX DAN (1) is a short-priced favourite after drawing barrier one in the FFA. He was second in the Listed Mildura Pacing Cup at his latest run. The Group 1 Victoria Derby winner from last season should prove hard to beat if he can lead or trail a suitable rival.

OLIVER DAN (3) is the stablemate and defeated MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (4) last start. Both are good enough to win. DANGEROUS (8) has a trailing draw which gives him each-way claims. I am not super keen on the race, so going to just have a small place play on TRIPLE EIGHT NZ (9) who should go straight to the pegs. I’d be wanting around $6 for the place.

Selections: 1-3-8-9

TRIPLE EIGHT NZ (9) to place

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Race 7

LUVTOBEUPTOME (5) returns for his first 3YO race start and he meets a couple of serious contenders here. The Courtney Slater-trained colt finished third in the Breeders Crown Final won by the freak Loucasso. Josh Duggan will need to stay ahead of MOST EXCITING (6) who is a huge danger in the race. If Duggan can find the top, LUVTOBEUPTOME (5) should prove the hardest to beat with the sectionals that he can carve out.

MOST EXCITING (6) has won both starts as a 3YO and looks to have a stack of upside. He is currently the race favourite. LE CARDINAL (7) looks next best despite the poor draw.

Selections: 5-6-7-3

LUVTOBEUPTOME (5) to win

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Race 8

I AM THE STORM (1) is a lightly raced 4YO for Emma Stewart and was impressive smashing rivals at Terang which was his first start for nine months. Last year, he was second in an NSW Derby heat before running ninth in the final. He will be extremely hard to beat here but I am not taking $1.45.

PERUN NZ (8) was a shock winner two starts back in 1:53.2 before racing outside the leader at Bendigo and battling on for fourth. With a trailing draw behind the favourite, the gelding appeals on an each-way basis, but mostly for the place. ODIN (9) is racing well and has place claims, as does KARTIARE (11).

Selections: 1-8-9-11

PERUN NZ (8) each way

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Northam

Race 3

YOU FLY WITH ME NZ (8) drops in grade from recent Gloucester Park racing where he finished just 8.8m from Soho The Real Deal and Major Miki Whitby. Both of those horses would be a short-priced favourite in this event. The gelding has won twice from five starts at Northam, should get a soft run throughout, hopefully midfield, and could be dangerous late.

ON THE BACK FOOT (10) has also been racing at Gloucester Park, including a pair of fourths where he raced quite well. He will appreciate this company and should run a big race here. CULLEN STAR (4) has solid claims in the race.

Selections: 8-10-4-1

YOU FLY WITH ME NZ (8) to win

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For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink