Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park Preview 27th February

Gloucester Park hosts a 10-race program, headlined by two Sales Classic Finals being run for the two-year-olds.

The 2YO Fillies and the 2YO Colts and Geldings will compete in separate $125,000 feature races as part of a big Western Australian harness meeting. Supporting the Sales Classic Finals will be a FFA race for the mares featuring Penny Black and Little Darling.

Looking around the country, Newcastle will have plenty of interest with the Group 2 Newcastle Mile showcasing Rakero Rocket, Cheerstolou, Max Delight and Bulletproof Boy. We will also look at the Trotters Mile and Sapling Memorial Final.

Ararat hosts its Pacing Cup and Trotters Cup with both races looking extremely competitive.

Here is our race-by-race preview for Gloucester Park on Friday night.

 

Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, February 27

 

Race 1

A tricky race to kick off the program and there is gate speed with CEE DEE THREE (1) and VINITA ROSE NZ (2). The breeze horse is likely to be RESET THE BAR NZ (5). MAJOR THINKER NZ (11) is having his first start in the west and brings strong Victorian form across, but that was back in 2024. The long layoff and a soft trial doesn’t tell too much about his chances.

CEE DEE THREE (1) has options from the draw with Kyle Harper driving. I’d lean towards leading but the horse is second up and VINITA ROSE NZ (2) isn’t a bad horse to sit on either. The last five runs have been around the mark from average draws and gets a chance to run well here. Other hopes to DOURADO (10), SUGAR SHAKE (3) and CHASING REX (12).

Selections: 1-10-5-3

CEE DEE THREE (1) to win

 

Race 2

Another tough race to work out with plenty of winning chances here. In saying that, a lot depends on how LINCOLN RIVER NZ (3) performs. If he runs like most of his recent form, then with the barrier draw advantage, he wins. If he gets shuffled back, then it brings a lot of other horses into the race. Deserves to go on top, especially after his last start second behind Rockokoko which was excellent, ripping home in 55.2 seconds.

If the favourite doesn’t have the best of luck in the run, then expect in-form runners KURIOUS BOY (8) and BETTOR ARCADE (10), along with the class horse SPYGLASS NZ (9) to be strong contenders. XCITE ME NZ (1) getting a draw could see her run a big race.

Selections: 3-9-1-8

LINCOLN RIVER NZ (3) to win

 

Race 3

The 2YO Fillies Sales Classic Final (1730m) will see unbeaten two-year-old SEASIDE SERENADE (2) find the front and she should be winning after a demolition job in the heat, rating 1:55.8, 57.7. She is a short-priced favourite which is no surprise as she chases a fourth victory.

Pegs will be the place to be in this race and MISS AURA (1) and ARVANNAS WISH (10) will be trying to follow the favourite as best they can in order to try and finish with a minor placing and some good prizemoney. Not a race that I am keen on due to the dominant favourite, but hopefully trainer Ryan Bell and driver Liam Elliott are celebrating after the race as this filly deserves to be victorious.

Selections: 2-1-10-3

 

Race 4

The 2YO Colts and Geldings Sales Classic Final (1730m) looks an excellent race as heat winners IDEAL WHISPER (2), HEZ THE BOSS (8) and TERBIUM (3) clash. Gary Hall Jnr has opted for HEZ THE BOSS (8) which can’t have been an easy decision considering the poor draw.

My top pick in the race is the Justin Prentice-trained gelding IDEAL WHISPER (2) who will have Deni Roberts driving. That’s a nice replacement for Hall Jnr. On debut, the gelding had to race outside of the leader and proved too tough, winning in 1:56.7, 57.1.

Outside of the three heat winners, the Dylan Egerton-Green-trained LEO NARRDO (12) appeals and the second emergency has gained a run and will now start from barrier one. The colt had trialled well before his debut run, finishing fifth after a soft run from a poor draw. Despite finishing 9.9m behind IDEAL WHISPER (2), he was hitting the line strongly and looks excellent each-way value in the race. Stuart McDonald picks up the drive and he would love to trail one of the favourites here.

Selections: 2-8-12-3

LEO NARRDO (12) each way

 

Race 5

One of the more difficult fast-class races Gloucester Park has seen in sometime, and the barrier draw ensures this to be a highly competitive race. FRANCO ENCORE NZ (4) would love to lead but there is good speed inside him. If he finds the fence and leads, he will go very close to winning. The risk is burning early and not finding the pegs, which then significantly hurts his chances.

If there is some early heat in the race, the Aiden De Campo-trained and driven ROCKANDROLLARTIST (12) could be a second-row runner to make them pay late. He is ticking along nicely and should be double figures. A case can be made for a lot of runners in the race with key hopes to the Bond pair TUALOU NZ (11) and THELITTLE MASTER (7), as well as CHIVALRY NZ (6) for Lindsay Harper. Great race and good luck as there will be good odds on offer for all runners here.

Selections: 12-4-11-7

ROCKANDROLLARTIST (12) each way

 

Race 6

The FFA mares compete in a very good race here as PENNY BLACK NZ (6) resumes for trainer Michael Young. She won eight races from 21 starts last season to stamp herself as an elite mare in Western Australia, showing a mixture of speed and toughness. Facing her is Group 1 Mares Classic (2536m) winner LITTLE DARLING (8) who has the outside gate.

PENNY BLACK NZ (6) deserves to go on top with her body of work. ALTA ALLURE (7) is flying and it wouldn’t surprise to see her run a big race – she might be well back in the field which makes it harder against top company. MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (4) looks next best.

Selections: 6-8-7-4

PENNY BLACK NZ (6) to win

 

Race 7

This could be a great clash between FINAL COLLECT NZ (7) and SPITFIRE (9). Both are former interstate horses with a single run in Western Australia. FINAL COLLECT NZ (7) draws inside his main danger and was excellent at his only WA run back in September 2025. He finished 2.4m from Bettors Pride and Cordero in 1:55.7 after carrying a flat tyre. Enters fresh without a trial and think he can run a big race for Gary Hall Jnr.

SPITFIRE (9) was very impressive winning here last week, showing some toughness to beat Vinita Rose. May need to sit parked once again and should go close to winning. Next best is RAKERO RAIDER NZ (8) and LIL HAPPY FELLA (12).

Selections: 7-9-8-12

FINAL COLLECT NZ (7) to win

 

Race 8

HOTFOOT IT NZ (1) or TRUNKEY CARRAWA (3) are the likely leader in the race and both can run a big race if they find that position. HOTFOOT IT NZ (1) led all the way three starts ago at Northam, dashing home in 56.5 seconds. He can mix his form which can be concerning – happy to back him at odds, but it is hard to have a lot of confidence in how he will run at the moment.

TUMBLIN DICE (11) was a Pinjarra winner two starts ago and the latest was a strong fourth in harder company behind Kurious Boy. Will need some luck from barrier 11 but can rip home and should go close to fighting out the finish.

TRITTRITTBANGBANG (10) can win this race at huge odds with some luck, while MY LITTLE BIG MAN NZ (5) is the other runner that I give a solid hope to in the race. TRUNKEY CARRAWA (3) has the recent form on the board – the sectionals aren’t the quickest compared to a few rivals here so I can’t suggest backing as favourite.

Selections: 11-1-5-10

TUMBLIN DICE (11) to win

TRITTRITTBANGBANG (10) each way

 

Race 9

The return of Aiden De Campo’s star three-year-old filly WISHING BELLE (8) and if she brings 80 per cent of her firepower, she will prove too good for tonight’s field. She has won eight of her nine starts, including the Group 1 Diamond Classic Final (2130m) and Group 1 Westbred Fillies Classic Final (2130m).

MISS LEOPATRA NZ (1) was brilliant last time out when rating 1:54.5 to win her first race. Looks to have some upside and most likely to run second behind the favourite. SOVEREIGN JEWEL (4) is the other key filly who could finish second in the race.

Selections: 8-1-4-5

Exacta: 8 / 1

Trifecta: 8 / 1,4 / 1,4,5

 

Race 10

The final race of the program looks difficult and could make a case for quite a few here. The market has already identified the key chances in GIRL OF BRIGHTNESS (1), GREVIS (2) and RELLIM (6). All rate well on my figures. Outside of them, HUGHEY (7) has been tackling harder races and isn’t going too bad – could surprise at odds. Same for PRIDDAH (11), except he hasn’t been racing in harder, he’s just running well enough to suggest that he could bob up here at odds too.

As I am not super confident, a small play on PRIDDAH (11) looks worth it at double figures. Need to mention MIKIPELO (4) who also rates well and if you dissect the race again from scratch, he may well be a top two selection. Tough race as mentioned.

Selections: 2-6-1-11

PRIDDAH (11) each way

 

Summary

Best Bet: Race 6 – PENNY BLACK NZ (6)

Next Best: Race 7 – FINAL COLLECT NZ (7)

Best Value: Race 4 – LEO NARRDO (12)

Best Roughie: Race 10 – PRIDDAH (11)

 

Around The Tracks

 

Newcastle

Race 4

The $30,600 Tommy Reay Sapling Memorial Final (1609m) will see short-priced favourite BETTORCHECKHEROUT (3) aim to remain unbeaten at her third career start. She raced outside the leader and surged past in the home straight to win by 6.3m in 1:57.0, 56.6, dropping a 27.6 final quarter. If she can work to the lead, she will prove very hard to beat but can work and still win.

I’m going to throw one out at massive odds here with the Narelle McCarthy-trained MCWEAPON (11) who will be driven by John McCarthy. The colt finished fifth on debut when beaten 11.3m by BETTORCHECKHEROUT (3). He hit the line as well as any horse in the race and with some luck, could finish in the top three. Don’t think he deserves to be rank outsider, so happy to support on an each-way basis.

Other smaller hopes in the race go to PASSION AND PAIN (5), UNJUST ENRICHMENT (10) and AMIEES ALIAS (1).

Selections: 3-11-10-5

MCWEAPON (11) each way

 

Race 5

The Group 2 Newcastle Mile (1609m) will see the winner gain direct entry into the Miracle Mile and Jason Grimson’s RAKERO ROCKET NZ (4) looks hard to beat. The speed map looks interesting as Queenslander CHEERSTOLOU (3) draws inside, loves to lead and carve out strong sectionals for trainer Donny Smith. Will they be tempted to sit on RAKERO ROCKET NZ (4)? After all, that horse has won in 1:47.3 at Menangle already.

Expect them to carve out strong sectionals with a sub-1:50 mile rate in the picture. If they go too hard, both horses could be vulnerable to the likes of HELLUVA NZ (1), MAX DELIGHT (7) or BULLETPROOF BOY (10).

Selections: 4-3-10-7

RAKERO ROCKET NZ (4) to win

 

Race 6

Some talented trotters contest the Trotters Mile (1609m) with former French trotter KRISTAL JOSSELYN FRA (5) representing trainer Anton Golino. A dual Group 2 winner in France, the six-year-old horse has won six races from 39 starts and more than $500,000 in prizemoney. He has won three straight Menangle trials and provides plenty of intrigue in the race. His manners will be put to the test under race conditions here.

SUNSET HILL NZ (1) has won three of four races since arriving in Australia, with the defeat being a second placed run behind Keayang Zahara in the Group 1 The Great Square (2138m) at Albion Park. Finished second behind WATTS UP PARTYTIME (7) in a recent trial and that horse’s best form is good, as shown by a 1:53.0 victory on February 7. Next best is SPEEDY LOVER (4) who is a last start winner.

Happy to side with SUNSET HILL NZ (1) who has options from the draw and looks a trotter of the future in New South Wales.

Selections: 1-5-7-4

SUNSET HILL NZ (1) to win

 

Ararat

Race 5

The Ararat Trotters Cup (2570m) is a standing start event and the handicaps make this a competitive affair. Class trotter PINNIE (10) will try and overcome a 40m handicap. MORE WANTED (7) has been racing well without winning and this could be a chance to break that drought with his last win coming in 2024.

Most of the field have winning claims in the race and I am content to say that this race is too hard for me. Prefer to just watch.

Selections: 10-7-2-3

 

Race 6

The Ararat Pacing Cup (2195m) is also a competitive event which sees the Emma Stewart-trained METEOR MOTH (12) as the favourite. With the scratching of SANCHEZ (4), this looks a much more suitable assignment for the favourite who has a fair bit of class. He can work into the race when the time is right and prove hardest to beat.

MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8) has been racing at Mildura recently and has been racing in good form. Will need some luck from the draw but if that eventuates, can finish strongly. ATA RANGI (6) and all the horses on the back row have some claims in the race.

Selections: 12-8-6-10

METEOR MOTH (12) to win

 

For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink