Gloucester Park will host a 10-race program on Friday night and the Group 3 The Village Kid is the feature race for the night.

The Village Kid FFA will see the return of star pacer Magnificent Storm, the winner of 42 races from 71 starts for trainer Ray Williams. The nine-year-old gelding has won more than $1.3 million in prizemoney and is the short-priced favourite to win first-up from a spell.

Looking east, the Listed Albury Murray Cup showcases Captains Knock who is chasing a $500,000 bonus if he can salute as the dominant favourite in the race.

Here is our race-by-race guide to Gloucester Park on Friday, plus some feature races around the country.

Gloucester Park – Friday, February 13

 

Race 1

Not the easiest way to kick off the meeting with the most in-form horse drawing the inside of the back row. That horse is BLING IT UP (10) who will need luck but can finish powerfully if it comes his way. The seven-year-old gelding was a big winner last start against stronger company and if he had drawn to lead, you could all but declare him as the winner. Still deserves favouritism.

TARTAN ROBYN NZ (2) was runner up last start when racing outside the leader and beaten just 2m by Siangdi. Can run a competitive race here. VALHALLA MISS (1) is first-up so not entirely sure whether they lead or hand straight away. ROCKSTAR QUALITY (8) has the best recent closing sectionals in the race; it’s just the wide draw over the sprint that concerns. Worth backing if he’s good odds.

Other hopes to VINTAGE BLU (3) and YOU FLY WITH ME NZ (12).

Selections: 10-2-8-12

BLING IT UP (10) to win

 

Race 2

BLAMEITONTHENIGHT NZ (1) and BURGHLEY SHARD NZ (3) can show the most gate speed with one of the two leading. It could be a trap, but LIL HAPPY FELLA (6) keeps flashing back me with his excellent sectional times, especially in the closing stages of races. He was third behind Eldaytona last start and will be looking to race in the moving line before winding up late. If the race is run to suit, he can make them pay with Kyle Harper driving.

BLAMEITONTHENIGHT NZ (1) should be a huge improver from barrier one and Gary Hall Jnr has picked up the drive. Expect him to go close tonight. MIKI WINDERMERE (7) will be honest from the breeze and has winning claims. MANHATTAN MOON (10) smaller claims, but mostly for a place.

Selections: 6-1-7-10

LIL HAPPY FELLA (6) to win

 

Race 3

KURIOUS BOY (1) was beaten for speed three starts back when drawing barrier one and that’s concerning when CHAMPAGNE EVERYONE (2) and IDEAL TOMADO NZ (3) have gate speed next door. For that reason, LINCOLN RIVER NZ (4) could be the beneficiary as he is racing well and should settle close to the speed. He has won two of his past four and will close quickly if there is a hint of early or mid-race speed.

KURIOUS BOY (1) has strong claims if able to hold up or race on the leader’s back, while CHAMPAGNE EVERYONE (2) is a talented mare who can win with some luck. TIGER ROYAL NZ (7) drops in class and if things pan out, the Fremantle Cup Consolation winner can return to the winner’s circle.

Selections: 4-1-2-7

LINCOLN RIVER NZ (4) to win

 

Race 4

Looks a great race for the Aiden De Campo-trained and driven ROCKOKOKO (6) who has been excellent since returning to the west. He was victorious first up from the breeze position and then finished second behind Our Crunch Time who has since won again at Bunbury by a massive margin. De Campo would love to find the front but will be content sitting parked if that transpires instead.

CHACO EAGLE (10) will get a soft trip on the pegs and can sprint home strongly if any gaps open up. Looks a big price in the market and I think he can run better than current market expectations.

FLY TO THE FINISH NZ (1), BETTOR ARCADE (3), SWEET LUCIFER (8) and ARIONROCK (9) look the next best on paper, although THE BEACH MASTER (2) has a trainer change to Corey Peterson, so definitely has place claims in the race.

Selections: 6-10-1-9

CHACO EAGLE (10) each way

Trifecta: 6 / 1,8,9,10 / 1,3,8,9,10

 

Race 5

The return of MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (3) over the sprint trip in The Village Kid FFA (1730m) and he has a huge class advantage on rivals in the race. Looks the likely leader in the race and from there, it could be a pegs-dominated affair, with the exception being stablemate STAR CASINO NZ (7) who has a bit of toughness and could fight for a minor placing from the breeze if they go forward.

BETTER ECLIPSE (10) could have tested the favourite from a better draw, but the cards have been dealt here, and Gary Hall Jnr will follow HOTLY PURSUED (1) and try to run into the placings. It does look a good race for the exotics, so will suggest a few here as MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (3) is a very short-priced favourite and he won’t be stopping for a chat as he will likely roll along at a solid tempo.

Selections: 3-1-10-7

Exacta: 3 / 1,10

Trifecta: 3 / 1,7,10 / 1,2,7,10

 

Race 6

Not the strongest mares’ event for a Friday night and the Ryan Cummins-trained SHES A TINY DANCER (6) looks ready to win. This is a class drop for her, recently contesting the Group 3 Laurie Kennedy (1730m) where she ran seventh when held up for clear running. Deni Roberts will likely be aggressive early as most of the horses drawn inside are racing up in class. The five-year-old mare has only won four races but has been placed in another 21 from her 51 starts. This is a good opportunity to break through.

WORLD SECRET (9) is first-up from a spell and her form prior to a break was exceptional with three wins and two seconds. She may need the run but is one of the better horses in the race. SHEER ROCK LADY (11) has won three-straight races and has strong claims again, while STATE MY CASE (4), THE SWINDLER (5) and LOCH TAY (10) are the other key hopes in the race.

Selections: 6-11-10-7

SHES A TINY DANCER (6) to win

 

Race 7

A competitive standing-start race where Chris Voak’s FAT LOUIE NZ (10) is one of two backmarkers off a 20m handicap. He was a dominant winner two starts back in FFA grade before failing to beat a runner home last time, although finishing 16.1m from the winner. The sectionals in both were good and despite a first career stand, this class horse will be a key chance here.

DAWSON NZ (8) is another class runner in the field, coming off a 10m handicap with Gary Hall Jnr driving. He has been racing at Busselton and returning to Gloucester Park will suit. Strong claims. Same can be said for ECLIPSE LINE (2) who will look to lead just like last week when finishing second to Maungatahi. OUR MAJOR JACK NZ (5) and SOUND WAVE (7) look next best. The price about Jack looks quite big, so happy to support him each-way too.

Selections: 10-8-5-2

FAT LOUIE NZ (10) to win

OUR MAJOR JACK NZ (5) each way

 

Race 8

A very difficult race to assess is the last leg of the Quaddie and I would suggest going wider in this leg. Trying to find the key chances, I am drawn to YOUR GRACE (2), MACHANE SAID (3), GREVIS (5) and MISTER PICCOLO (6).

YOUR GRACE (2) had no chance to get into the race last time from the bad draw at Pinjarra, running home in 56 seconds. Back in October, he was running well, often finishing within 8m of the winner in good sectionals for this grade, and from barrier two, expecting a good run.

GREVIS (5) is the class dropper which immediately gives him claims against this opposition and Deni Roberts knows the gelding well. MISTER PICCOLO (6) rated 1:57.4 at Northam two starts back which is good going and it wouldn’t shock to see him in the breeze in this race. LORD PUBLISHER NZ (10) needs luck but is good enough to win if the gaps open up.

Selections: 2-6-5-3

YOUR GRACE (2) to win

 

Race 9

The trotters compete over 2130m and this could be a good clash between MY LIGHTNING MCQUEEN NZ (3) and MAJESTIC GA GA (5). It has been three-straight seconds for MY LIGHTNING MCQUEEN NZ (3) who was narrowly beaten by Grumpee in the Group 2 Trotters Cup (2503m) last time. He’s rarely far away if beaten and did win twice at Pinjarra back in November. Very strong claims.

MAJESTIC GA GA (5) has been the benchmark trotter in WA and she won 12 races from 28 starts last season – already has two wins from three this season also. The 50m handicap proved too much in the Trotters Cup and back to the mobile, she will prove hard to beat.

YANKEE LOVER (2), PATCHED (6) and LUVAFLAIR (7) are the other winning hopes but will need things to go their way in order to topple the two horses mentioned above.

Selections: 3-5-7-6

MY LIGHTNING MCQUEEN NZ (3) to win

 

Race 10

Another chance for MONTERIO (2) to try and win his second career race at start number 23. He should lead from barrier two and that’s what he did two starts back when runner up to Vintage Blu. He then drew poorly in a harder race and finished 8.8m away which was a good effort, running home in 57.1 seconds.

BLUE BLAZER NZ (7) is the sectional horse for the race and just needs to contend with a wide draw. He drops in class from recent races and if he gets some luck, has strong claims. THE RIGHTEOUS (4), LEEROY ROX (5), BETTOR MOVE ALONG (8) and JILLIBY JAKE (9) all have each-way claims.

Selections: 2-7-5-9

MONTERIO (2) to win

JILLIBY JAKE (9) each way

 

Around The Tracks

Albury

Race 8

CAPTAINS KNOCK (8) is chasing a $500,000 bonus in the Albury Murray Cup (2570m) and he is $1.04 to do so for trainer-driver Brad Hewitt. The winner of 26 races from 65 starts, he should be able to roll around to the lead and dictate the affair. He captured The TAB Gold Rush Cup (2790m) last start and should make it back-to-back victories here.

Stablemate HORN PLAYER (7) looks the main danger if there is to be one, while DOM TORETTO NZ (3) looks the other key hope to finish in second place.

Selections: 8-7-3-5

No Tip

 

Summary

Best Bet: Race 6 – SHES A TINY DANCER (6)

Next Best: Race 3 – LINCOLN RIVER NZ (4)

Best Value: Race 2 – LIL HAPPY FELLA (6)

Best Roughie: Race 4 – CHACO EAGLE (10)

 

 

For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink