Harness Analyst – Auckland 23rd October 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 heads to Auckland tonight with 9 races on the card. Racing starts at 5:28pm, with some quality open-class pacers featuring in the opening mile, including Merlin, Better Knuckle Up and Sooner The Bettor. We highlight some specials and value runners we think can give you a run for your money on a good night of racing.

Auckland selections – 23rd October 2026

Harness analyst best tips:

Best Bet: R3  Go Jimmy Cassidy

Best Value: R4  Sans Au Revoir

Race 1

Better Knuckle Up (2)

Impressive winner here last start and gets another ideal draw. Looks capable of going back-to-back against some quality opposition. Top selection.

Merlin (5)

Two solid efforts since resuming and getting closer to his best. Small field suits and has the class to win this. Needed.

Sooner The Bettor (3)

Resumes after a break and has an excellent fresh record. Plenty of early speed and could give them something to catch.

---

Race 2

Copy Book Landing (5)

Just beaten on debut when well supported. Should improve with the experience and looks very hard to beat in this field.

Pirayas (7)

Has been racing consistently with three recent thirds. Wide draw but should race handy and looks a solid place chance.

Pretty Elite (3)

Made up ground after being held up fresh up. Should be fitter and gets a handy draw. Could sneak into the top three.

---

Race 3

Go Jimmy Cassidy (6)

Strong second behind a smart type last start and has won a trial since. Wide draw but looks ready to break maiden ranks. Top selection.

Horizon (5)

Resumes after a lengthy break but has won a recent workout. Has shown ability and could surprise fresh. Watch the tote.

Abman (2)

Good second at Cambridge last week and gets a better draw. Has been racing honestly and looks one of the main winning chances. Include.

---

Race 4

Sans Au Revoir (1)

Disappointing last week after some consistent efforts prior. Front mark and handy draw should help. Good place chance.

Memories (2)

Two good placings recently and looks close to another win. Front mark a big advantage and should be hard to beat. Needed.

Barsukov (4)

Impressive winner last week and steps up in grade. Front mark helps and looks capable of featuring again with manners.

---

Race 5

Field Of Gold (2)

Good second fresh up when run down late as favourite. Better for that run and gets another handy draw. Winning claims.

Northview Louie (10)

Beat Field Of Gold when resuming and looks a promising type. Second-row draw makes things tougher but hard to beat with luck.

Mhai Jackie Do (4)

Resumes after showing promise earlier in the year. Has trialled well and gets a reasonable draw. Good each way chance.

---

Race 6

Our Col (7)

Big effort fresh up when recovering from a mistake to finish second. Should be fitter and looks very hard to beat with manners.

Bolt For The Hill (6)

Has been racing in excellent form with a deserved win last start. Good early manners and should be right in the finish. Needed.

Final Approach (3)

Made a mistake last start after a reasonable fresh-up effort. Handy draw and capable of improving sharply if he trots throughout.

---

Race 7

Incentivise (5)

Resumes after racing in excellent form last campaign. Handy draw and has the ability to win fresh. Watch the tote.

Cyclone Rebel (7)

Two strong seconds recently behind smart opposition. Wide draw but looks overdue another win. Major winning chance.

Twista (6)

Freshened since a disappointing run of form. Has a reasonable sprint record and could improve at longer odds. Place chance.

---

Race 8

Franco Ronaldo (8)

Won two races impressively before recent mistakes. Wide draw but mobile start should help. Good value chance with manners.

Donegal Hill (3)

Disappointing last start after some strong earlier efforts. Better draw here and looks capable of bouncing back. Winning claims.

Save A Prayer (11)

Forget last week’s mistake after a good win prior. Unruly draw makes things difficult but has the ability to feature. Include.

---

Race 9

Aventador (5)

Has been remarkably consistent this campaign without winning recently. Handy draw and early speed should have him right in the finish.

Georgie Best (8)

Had a tough run last start after showing good form fresh up. Wide draw hurts but capable of improving sharply. Needed.

Dolly Parton (7)

Two strong seconds recently and only caught late last week. Wide draw but should be prominent again. Genuine winning chance.

 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Harness Analyst