Welcome to our harness racing preview and betting tips for racing at Bendigo and Menangle on Saturday, August 17th.
Trent Orwin has previewed some of the key races on the card below!
Harness Racing Tips: Saturday, August 17th
Bendigo Race 2 - BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 21 (3YO FILLIES) (1ST SEMI-FINAL) – 6:00pm (Market)
The two favourites (3) Our Road To Mecca and (8) Looking Fabulous appear to be the two horses to beat but I don’t see value in either horse. One filly that grabs my attention is (2) Enchanted Stride for trainer-driver David Miles. Her last win came over Two Times Bettor who is second favourite against Our Princess Tiffany in the other semi-final. That form is excellent, and she ran fifth last week behind that filly when finishing just 3.6m behind Our Princess Tiffany who was fourth. She will need some luck from barrier two but doesn’t look a 66/1 shot. Back her each way in this race.
Bendigo Race 4 - BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 22 (2YO FILLIES) (2ND SEMI-FINAL) – 7:03pm (Market)
We have a $1.04 favourite by the name of (2) Maajida and she should have no trouble winning this semi-final. (3) Michelle Lee Mac has very good form which matches her gate speed. She should cross the inside two horses before surrendering the lead to Maajida. She was third in her heat when beaten 2.5m by Jemstone and Iolanta. A repeat performance will see her fill a placing here and the $2.25 on offer for a top-three finish is appealing. The Gold Tiara winner was fourth in the APG Final won by Pelosi and provided she is on her best manners, she should be running a place.
(3) Michelle Lee Mac to place
$2.25
Bendigo Race 6 - BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 21 (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) (1ST SEMI-FINAL) – 8:02pm (Market)
This is the race that I am looking forward to the most. (4) Max Delight will lead and he will look to repel the Emma Stewart stablemates (9) Hurricane Harley and (13) Demon Delight. Hurricane Harley has the better draw of the duo and $4.20 represents value for a horse that has put in some monster performances in his career to date. He has won 13 from 21 starts and has Australia’s best driver, Chris Alford, in the sulky. Hurricane Harley will be up against it if Max Delight gets away with a cheap sectional but Demon Delight and (7) Jesse Duke can be put into the race to try and ensure it isn’t a walk in the park for Max Delight.
(9) Hurricane Harley
$4.20
Bendigo Race 8 - BREEDERS CROWN SERIES 21 (3YO FILLIES) (2ND SEMI-FINAL) – 9:00pm (Market)
New Zealand star filly (10) Our Princess Tiffany was dreadful at Kilmore in her heat when running fourth as the $1.04 favourite. (9) Two Times Bettor was the winner and she will make Our Princess Tiffany pay once again if the Kiwi doesn’t improve from her heat performance. The filly that interests me the most here is (1) Miss Streisand despite running last in the same heat as the other pair. Her form before that run was excellent with a string of seconds behind Belle Of Montana and Our Princess Tiffany; a pair of half-neck defeats means she isn’t far away from causing a big upset. Happy to support each-way, with more on for the place.
Menangle Race 5 - DRIVE TO SURVIVE PACE (1609m) – 7:20pm (Market)
Former Queensland pacer (10) Rays Choice was victorious at his first Menangle start when surrendering the lead early, coming off the leader’s back with around 550m left to travel and sprinting home to win by 6.1m in 1:50.5. Barrier 10 means he will have to work harder in the run but he is capable of making it back-to-back victories. (2) Blue Moon Rising will be one of the key dangers from the good draw. (4) Arthur Lowe is also in the mix from barrier four.
