Australian Analyst – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 9th May

It is a more subdued weekend of harness racing highlighted by the Group 1 NSW Trotters Derby at Menangle as the feature race for our Saturday harness racing best bets.

Smart three-year-old Keayang Bazlenka is the star of the show for the NSW Trotters Derby. He meets several rivals that he has already dispatched in the Vicbred Super Series Final and Breeders Crown Final.

Outside of that, we will be looking at the Listed Narrogin Cup in Western Australia as FFA contenders Gee Heza Sport, Captain Ravishing and Otis compete.

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Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets May 9

Menangle

Race 5

JILLIBY NITRO (10) is going to need some luck from the outside barrier but he is racing extremely well, winning two of his last five starts and placed in the other three. The latest two have been at Menangle, including breaking 1:50.0 as he ran second behind Ripp at his most recent. Jason Lee picks up the drive and he will try and use his big-race experience to get the most out of the nine-year-old gelding.

NERANO NZ (9) has won his past two starts and he is thriving since rejoining trainer Jason Grimson. He raced outside the leader to win in 1:49.8 at his most recent victory and the step up to 2300m won’t bother this horse.

GLITTER AINT GOLD (1) draws well and has each-way prospects, as does ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (4), SWEET ON LEXY (6) and JAY OK (7).

Selections: 10-9-1-4

JILLIBY NITRO (10) to win

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Race 6

It is hard to go past KEAYANG BAZLENKA (2) with his record to date as he resumes from a spell. He recently had a Terang trial, defeating stablemate Jilliby Dreamlover in 2:01.6, 58.4, 28.1. If he brings his A-game, he looks the winner of the NSW Trotters Derby (2300m) but is $1.30 to do so.

We will look at the place market instead. SUPERIOR STRIDE (7) has excellent gate speed and they are likely to chance their arm trying to cross before handing up to a suitable rival, following a 1:56.6 victory to break his maiden last time out. MUNNY THE MUNSTER (6) is versatile, capable of doing work and still fighting it out, or sitting back and running home strongly. He has strong place claims. Same goes for HOWDY MATE (3) and NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY (5). Most of the field can run a place with the right run.

Selections: 2-6-5-3

MUNNY THE MUNSTER (6) to place

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Race 7

KYVALLEY MAVEN (7) is thriving since joining Jarrod Alchin, running three-straight minor placings behind Constantinople twice and SPEEDY LOVER (11) at the most recent. His personal sectionals are very good, often running home in 56 seconds. Two starts back, he ran a 1:53.3 mile rate. The biggest concern here is that it is the first standing start race for the five-year-old gelding. If he behaves, the 10m handicap looks fair in this line up and he could take some beating.

GATESYS GEM (8) has won 10 of her 20 career starts as she resumes from a spell. She was last seen running third in the Breeders Crown 3YO Trotting Fillies Final (2240m) at Melton in December. She has trialled well behind Susan Is Her Name, the only trotter to defeat Keayang Zahara at the races, and this mare has been runner up at her only stand run. She will go close.

I AM HELLBOUND (2), SPEEDY LOVER (11) and IMPERIAL MONARCH NZ (12) look the other key chances in a competitive Bulli Trotters Cup (2300m).

Selections: 7-8-2-12

KYVALLEY MAVEN (7) to win

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Albion Park

Race 2

FRENCH FRIES (6) is a talented four-year-old gelding that was a winner two starts back when working hard outside the leader in 1:53.6. He was then good in defeat behind Tyson which is a great form line. Since a freshen up, Trent Dawson has sent the gelding to the trials where he won by 30.5m against Fernco Nel who has since raced and won. He ran a 54-flat last half in the trial win. This looks a suitable race and he should prove hard to beat.

JILLIBYJACKSPARROW (4) has a change of trainer, joining Jack Butler, where he comes off a sharp trial performance in 1:52.1, when beaten 5.5m by stablemate Birkirkara. He looks a good each-way prospect in the race.

Most of the field could bob up here without really surprising, with BASILISK BOB (5) and CHARGE AHEAD (9) racing well.

Selections: 6-4-5-9

FRENCH FRIES (6) to win

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Race 7

TIMS A TROOPER (4) was too far back last start, running an identical last half to the winner ATTACHMENT (6) who enjoyed a pegs run. The smaller field should suit Grant Dixon’s seven-year-old gelding who rarely runs a bad race. Dixon will have options in the run and I expect him to go close to winning tonight at around the $4 mark.

HECTOR NZ (1) looks a big improver from the inside barrier and Nathan Dawson picks up the drive – the last time the eight-year-old gelding saluted was with Dawson in the bike. If he could race behind a suitable rival, he should run a big race.

ATTACHMENT (6) has the outside barrier which makes his odds-on quote unappealing. He has won three of his past four starts, so winning again is well within his grasp, it’s just the draw and price that are against.

Selections: 4-1-6-2

TIMS A TROOPER (4) to win

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Narrogin

Race 4

ARTFUL MAJOR (5) resumes for Justin Prentice and Trent Wheeler will be in the sulky. He gets the draw advantage over his two chief rivals in the race. The five-year-old was a winner two starts back before finishing third and being turned out for a spell. A recent trial when fourth behind Alta Tribute and A Little Silence in solid enough sectionals suggests he could run a race. It will be a matter of fitness as the race unfolds.

CAPTAINS CREEK NZ (9) has the added benefit of a run under the belt and that fitness edge could prove crucial in the latter stages of this race. If he had drawn where ARTFUL MAJOR (5) is, then I would have declared him, although he would have been a very short-priced favourite. This draw at Narrogin has brought many strong chances undone.

CURADH (7) is the other key hope. He’s ticking along nicely and can win but will need some luck. MAJIC BAY (8) has rough place claims.

Selections: 5-9-7-8

ARTFUL MAJOR (5) to win

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Race 5

GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (10) has come up as a long odds-on favourite for the Listed Narrogin Cup (2662m). He is the class runner for Team Bond and is my top pick, but I can’t steer anyone into him at the current price. He recently ran third behind stablemate Minstrel which is excellent form and then finished down the track in the Group 1 Fremantle Cup (2936m).

OTIS (6) also comes out of the Fremantle Cup, finishing well ahead of his main rival here after having a better run in transit. Dylan Egerton-Green should be pressing forward to try and stay ahead of GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (10) in the run. If he could find the front or land close to the speed with some cover, he will go close to taking out the Cup.

MAJOR MIKI WHITBY (1) rises sharply in grade but the draw could see him run into the placings while THELITTLE MASTER (8) and CAPTAIN RAVISHING (9) have smaller claims in the race but are relying on the favoured duo to race below par.

Selections: 10-6-1-8

OTIS (6) to win

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Race 7

KOLISI (6) can be put into the race in this class which is what Shannon Suvaljko did five starts back at Wagin when racing in the breeze and winning comfortably. Donald Harper has been driving the gelding in recent runs and despite the numerical form showing seventh, sixth, and eighth, that has been against stronger fields. His recent sectionals rate well and he gets a good opportunity in this event.

ISLAND TEE REX (9) comes out of the same races as KOLISI (6) and his numbers also come up similarly. I was a little torn between the pair but went with the front-row draw instead. He has strong claims despite the back row.

DISPATCHER (4) has been runner up at her past two runs and she isn’t out of it either.

Selections: 6-9-4-5

KOLISI (6) to win

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by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink