The Insider – Australian Analysis March 26 Edition

Bathurst takes centre stage this weekend in the world of harness racing with a pair of Group 1 finals in the Gold Crown and Gold Tiara.

Supporting the Group 1 features for two-year-olds will be the Gold Bracelet and Gold Chalice, both run at Group 2 level for three-year-olds.

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Bathurst

Race 4

The first feature to kick off a big 10-race card at Bathurst on Saturday night will be the Group 2 Gold Bracelet Final (1730m) for 3YO Fillies. The very smart David Hewitt-trained Sparkling Sea is the dominant favourite for the event after drawing barrier two. She has won seven of her eight career starts, including the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge 2YO Fillies Final (1609m) at Menangle in October 2025. This is after the subsequent disqualification of Ark Sea. The only other runners in single figures are fellow Gold Bracelet heat winners Willows Girl and Ripples.

SPARKLING SEA (2) is the $1.35 favourite, and it’s easy to see why after drawing perfectly in barrier two. She won her heat by 9.1m in 1:53.0, 54.7, 26.9. She has good gate speed that isn’t blistering. RIPPLES NZ (8) looks the quickest off the arm and could try and cross early, although I think Luke McCarthy might consider taking a trail if SPARKLING SEA (2) comes knocking. Regardless, the favourite looks a very strong chance to find the top.

Following her brilliant win in the Listed JL Raith Memorial (1609m) two starts ago in 1:51.1, SPARKLING SEA (2) is the obvious top pick and will be very hard to beat. WILLOWS GIRL (7) has each-way claims in the race, while DEVIOUS MINDS (1) and CAPTURE OUR HEART NZ (9) are place chances from their peg line draws.

Selections: 2-7-8-1

Trifecta: 2 / 1,7,8 / 1,3,7,8,9

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Race 5

The Group 2 Gold Chalice Final (1730m) is for the 3YO Colts & Geldings. All eyes will be on the Brad Hewitt-trained and driven Hollywood Strip; the winner of all nine career starts. He was simply breathtaking winning the Group 1 NSW Derby (1609m) in 1:49.8 from the breeze. Drawing the front line in barrier six, the gelding will now chase a 10th straight win for prominent owner Mick Boots. Other heat winners in the final include Bernie Hewitt’s Yottie in barrier two, Michael Stanley’s Soho Charmer in barrier four and David Hewitt’s Message Bank drawn barrier seven.

Expecting an early speed battle between YOTTIE (2), BROOKLYN DAN (3) and SOHO CHARMER (4). HOLLYWOOD STRIP (6) should sit parked outside one of those horses and is clearly the horse to beat still. At the prices on offer, YOTTIE (2) has the most appeal and Bernie Hewitt will have options. He was sensational in his heat, racing outside the leader to win in 1:51.6, 53.5, 27.5. That includes a 26.0 third quarter. Whether he finds the pegs or tries to race 1 out 1 back behind the favourite, he should go close to winning.

It would be a shock if a horse outside of those already mentioned were to win this race based on the barrier draws.

Selections: 6-2-4-3

YOTTIE (2) to win

Trifecta: 2,6 / 2,3,4,6 / 2,3,4,6

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Race 6

The first of two Group 1 races is the Gold Tiara Final (1730m) for 2YO Fillies and the market suggests it could be a match race between the Michael Stanley-trained Soho Aster and the KerryAnn Morris-trained Birdsong. Soho Aster won her heat which was also her race debut, while Birdsong has won all three races in her career. Gunnareason for Peter and Will Rixon was also a heat winner and has drawn barrier 10, as was Rockleighs Legacy and Shes A Delaney who have horror draws in barriers 11 and 12 respectively.

SOHO ASTER (4) started her career with a victory and Michael Stanley will be looking to repeat the dose by leading throughout. He will be looking to use the barrier advantage over BIRDSONG (9). LEXY BELLE (5) may look to try and cross the field in order to take a trail behind SOHO ASTER (4) which would give her place claims at odds.

With the likely better run throughout, I am putting SOHO ASTER (4) on top. BIRDSONG (9) is the obvious danger, while WALLABY WAY (1), LEXY BELLE (5) and ROCKLEIGHS LEGACY (11) look the best place hopes.

Selections: 4-9-5-11

SOHO ASTER to win

Trifecta: 4,9 / 4,5,9 / 1,4,5,9,11

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Race 7

The Group 1 Gold Crown Final (1730m) looks an intriguing race, even without second emergency Don Hunter in the field after he finished in third during his heat. Both Jacwill Kid and Take The Miki, Victorian visitors, were impressive winning their respective heats in 1:53.9 and 1:55.0. Prior to that, the pair clashed at Melton on debut with Take The Miki winning by 2.5m over Jacwill Kid. Other heat winners in the final include the unbeaten My Ultimate Jed for Jarrod Alchin, Revvin Reynard for Clayton Harmey and Atomik Crunch who is also unbeaten for Tom Gilligan.

Following the barrier draw, the Victorian pair of JACWILL KID (1) and TAKE THE MIKI (3) is where I want to be. The gate speed of the inside horse will be the concern as he won’t want to be crossed multiple times. For that reason, I will give the nod to TAKE THE MIKI (3) for trainer Matthew Craven. He has been winning with a sit but could be looking to try and get the lead if a horse out wider crosses him. GOCCIADORO (9) was excellent winning at Wagga before being slightly disappointing when second to ATOMIK CRUNCH (11). Has each-way claims in the race. Smaller hope to ELECTRICUTE (4).

Selections: 3-1-9-4

TAKE THE MIKI (3) to win

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Race 8

The Gold Coronet Final (1730m) for the trotters looks an open race with all of the main chances drawing poorly under the preferential barrier draw system. Two heats were run with the Chris Svanosio-trained Im Havintotrot running down Gladiatrix in the first heat before Blake Fitzpatrick trained and drove Cee Cee In Paris to a dominant 28.5m victory in the second heat. Notanotha Naughty was in fact naughty as he galloped in his heat, so will be seeking redemption.

Manners were a concern for a few of the main fancies in their heats and I am trying to find a trotter that will hopefully trot the whole way. CEE CEE IN PARIS (10) has put together a pair of wins and was very impressive winning by 28.5m in her heat. She starts from barrier two on the second row and should be a strong contender based on her 1:57.9 victory. NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY (11), IM HAVINTOTROT (9), GLADIATRIX (8) and DEEP LOVE NZ (6) are all in the market and can win if they behave.

Selections: 10-9-11-6

CEE CEE IN PARIS (10) to win

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For complete Bathurst fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink

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