Harness Analyst – Ashburton 8th November free tips

Welcome to today’s segment from our harness racing analyst.

Providing you with free expert tips and selections for harness meetings run in New Zealand.

Harness racing returns to Ashburton today with 7 races on the card. Racing starts at 1:54pm, with four heats of the Australasian Young Drivers Championship among the highlights. We have identified some specials and value runners who could give you a run for your money.

Ashburton selections – 8th November 2026

Harness analyst best tips:

Best Bet: R3 Mariners Rose

Best Value: R4 Victor Radley

Race 1

Franco Chaplin (2)

Made good ground from the markers at Addington last start and gets a favourable draw. Looks capable of improving further and could surprise at longer odds. 

Unico Realta (9)

Finished strongly for fourth here last start after another consistent effort. Wide draw but has the ability to go close with the right run.

Okiwi Bay (12)

Returned to winning form with a convincing victory at Invercargill. Second-row draw makes things harder but looks capable of featuring again.

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Race 2

Learning To Fly (4)

Had little luck when finishing third at Timaru last start. Drawn reasonably and looks a strong winning chance with a clean beginning. Top selection.

Lap It Up (6)

Has been racing consistently with several recent placings. Close enough at Addington last start and should be involved in the finish again.

Gimme Three Steps (11)

Had excuses when resuming at Methven after an early check. Starts from the unruly but could improve with that run behind her.

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Race 3

Mariners Rose (2)

Resumes after a lengthy spell and has trialled in preparation. Gets a favourable draw and has shown enough ability previously to be competitive.

Sea Me Fly (6)

Produced a promising debut fifth at Addington and should improve with the experience. Looks a genuine winning chance in this field.

Delilah (5)

Has been struggling for consistency but has shown ability previously. Better suited with a favourable run and could sneak into the placings.

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Race 4

Victor Radley (9)

Produced a strong third behind Southerly at Kaikoura last start. Continues to race consistently and looks capable of going close again. Top selection.

Clovelly Hill (8)

Has finished in the first four in all four starts this campaign. Racing honestly and should be involved in the finish again.

Chester Gold (10)

Made a costly mistake at his latest appearance after a strong effort previously. Starts from the unruly but has winning claims with manners.

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Race 5

Rena (6)

Produced a good fourth when resuming at Addington. Should strip fitter and looks a strong winning chance in this field. Top selection.

Jukebox Gypsy (11)

Racing consistently and finished a useful third last start. Second-row draw but should get a reasonable run through. Good each-way chance.

Scarlett’s Legacy (4)

Disappointed at Timaru last start after two excellent seconds. Gets a favourable draw and looks capable of bouncing back. Major threat.

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Race 6

Schoemaker (4)

Has been racing better than recent results suggest and gets a reasonable starting position. Looks capable of featuring with a clean beginning. Top selection.

Moa Mojito (2)

Produced a useful effort at Oamaru after having little luck previously. Gets a favourable draw and could improve at longer odds.

Onnahill (5)

Recent form has been disappointing but has shown ability previously. Needs to improve sharply and could sneak into the placings with better manners.

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Race 7

Style Council (4)

Has finished second in his last two starts and looks close to another victory. Should be prominent throughout and looks very hard to beat. Best bet.

Franco Humbie (1)

Has been racing reasonably since winning at Motukarara. Gets the ace draw and should enjoy a good run. Strong each-way chance.

Berrettini (7)

Had little luck at Kaikoura last start and could improve with a clear run. Wide draw but has the ability to feature at longer odds.

 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Harness Analyst