The Insider – Alexandra Park preview 8th May

Alexandra Park takes center stage on Friday night with a stacked harness racing program featuring some of the best pacing and trotting talent in the country.

The Group 1 features headline a massive night while several support races also look highly competitive with strong form lines coming through recent Cambridge and Auckland meetings.

Race 4 – Young Guns Easton Light Classic (Group 1)

$100,000 – 1700m Mobile Trot

A smart juvenile field lines up here and there looks genuine depth despite the smaller numbers. Early manners and race position could decide plenty.

Duke Of Bourbon (7)

Debut effort had merit and natural improvement makes him dangerous here. Looks capable of taking another step quickly.

Royal Monarch (2)

Consistent juvenile with a soft draw and strong winning claims again. Should secure every chance in the running.

Apollo Eleven (1)

Has already shown ability and the ace draw keeps him right in this. Likely to get the perfect trip throughout.

Ellie Diamond (3)

Progressive filly who has shown enough at trials and in racing to suggest she can measure up in this grade.

Selections:

Duke Of Bourbon / Royal Monarch / Apollo Eleven / Ellie Diamond

 

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Race 6 – Northern Trotting Derby (Group 1)

$100,000 – 2700m Mobile Trot

A quality staying test for the three-year-old trotters where class and stamina both come into play.

Kyvalley Ray (4)

Top class three-year-old who has done little wrong this season. Big chance with even luck in transit.

Kawatiri Trev (7)

Winning machine with plenty of upside and cannot be left out. Tough enough to overcome the draw.

Petite Amour (1)

Strong recent placings and ideal draw gives her every opportunity. Looks one of the key runners.

Who’s Ya Daddy (6)

Progressive trotter who continues to improve and has the ability to add value to First 4s.

Selections:

Kyvalley Ray / Kawatiri Trev / Petite Amour / Who’s Ya Daddy

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Race 7 – Sires’ Stakes Fillies Final (Group 1)

$200,000 – 2200m Mobile Pace

One of the premier fillies races of the season and this year’s edition looks deep with several realistic winning hopes.

Secret Wish (1)

Forgive last start and this draw gives her the perfect chance to rebound. Looks ideally placed.

Indulge Me (9)

Consistent filly who should get the right trail into the race. Include again in all combinations.

Ripples (10)

Class runner with strong form around her and still commands respect second line. Dangerous late.

Cath (7)

Keeps racing well in strong company and maps to get a decent trip throughout.

Selections:

Secret Wish / Indulge Me / Ripples / Cath

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Race 8 – Rowe Cup (Group 1)

$200,000 – 3200m Stand

The staying championship for the trotters and a race where manners, stamina and timing are everything over the long journey.

Oscar Bonavena (8)

Veteran trotter still racing well and his class keeps him right in this. Hard to dismiss in feature company.

Meant To Be (10)

Tough and consistent performer who should be charging late again. Stays all day and suited here.

Midnight Dash (2)

Racing honestly and the front tape gives him definite top four claims. Can take catching if left alone.

Mr Love (6)

Honest type who keeps putting himself in the race and can once again feature prominently.

Selections:

Oscar Bonavena / Meant To Be / Midnight Dash / Mr Love

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Race 9 – New Zealand Messenger (Group 1)

$100,000 – 2700m Mobile Pace

A quality edition of the Messenger with proven open-class performers clashing in what shapes as a tactical staying contest.

Got The Chocolates (2)

Outstanding recent form and gets every chance from a handy draw. Looks one of the hardest to beat.

Swayzee (1)

Australian star who draws perfectly and looks a major player throughout. Will take serious catching if he leads.

The Lazarus Effect (5)

Ultra consistent campaign and can make his presence felt again here. Always around the action.

We Walk By Faith (8)

Capable pacer who brings ok form into the race. Can feature if the tempo suits.

Selections:

Got The Chocolates / Swayzee / The Lazarus Effect / We Walk By Faith

 

by Harness Analyst