Another great night of harness racing on the cards this Saturday, the 2nd of March! We take a look at some of the key races from both Albion Park and Menangle and give our betting tips below.
Albion Park Harness Tips
Race 4
A C4+ event that looks extremely open. Chapter One is double figures and I think that’s a good enough price for a horse that has very good gate speed and is a last-start winner. He likes the 1660m which is the distance he has competed over in his past four starts. If he is forced to work too hard early, then his chances are gone and not finding the lead will also make it a more difficult. However, at his current price, I believe he represents excellent value in a race that doesn’t have a stand-out chance.
Race 9
Mr Kalypso is the best horse in the race and if he can produce his brilliant best third-up from a spell, he should prove too good for his 11 rivals in this C2+ race. He was narrowly beaten in a C5-C8 first up from a spell before winning as $1.25 favourite last start in a C6-C9. He should get a nice run behind Casino Grin who looks the leader and Mr Kalypso should prove too smart late for trainer-driver Kylie Rasmussen. He has won nine of 16 in his career to date and can notch double figures at black figures.
Menangle Harness Tips
Race 3
The first of five pacing Group 1s from Tabcorp Park Menangle is the NSW Oaks (2400m) for the three-year-old fillies. Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen’s Our Princess Tiffany dominates the market at $1.40 and she looks nigh-on-unstoppable here. She went a perfect nine during her two-year-old season and despite two blemishes to begin her campaign at three, she was an impressive winner in her heat last week. Kualoa should run second in the race and I am happy with an Exacta bet in this race.
Race 4
The Group 1 Ladyship Mile (1609m) has another dominant Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen horse. This time it is Our Dream About Me but she isn’t over the line. Tell Me Tales defeated Our Dream About Me in 1:49.3 last week to capture the Group 2 Robin Dundee Stakes (1609m). She certainly looks another big chance, but I am happy to be on the Dean Braun-trained Carlas Pixel instead. A last-start winner of the Group 1 Ladyship Cup (1720m) at Melton, Carlas Pixel defeated Tell Me Tales who was third in the race. Barrier six looks better than 12 here and Carlas Pixel could successfully defend her crown after winning the 2018 edition.
Race 5
Three-year-old colts and geldings collide in the NSW Derby (2400m) and this looks the best race on the program apart from the Miracle Mile. Muscle Factory was massive in defeat last week as he faced the breeze in a 1:52.7 mile. The last half was still run in 54.9 and he fought on bravely to finish 8.3m from Demon Delight who was camped on his back. Don’t expect that to happen with Demon Delight drawing the outside of the front row. Centenario is a much bigger threat from the inside draw but Muscle Factory will begin from barrier two and looks capable of making it a Victoria Derby-NSW Derby double.
Race 6
The Bohemia Crystal Free For All (2400m) will be a competitive contest but the top pick goes to Ashley Locaz. A New Zealand four-year-old gelding that has won seven of 25, Ashley Locaz is really starting to hit his straps with a last-start fourth, beaten 3.5m by stablemate Thefixer who knocked off Tiger Tara. Ashley Locaz was second in the Chariots of Fire (1609m) won by Poster Boy before that run and should be fighting out the finish. San Carlo is another horse that I like in the race.
Race 7
The $1 million Miracle Mile is here! This race shapes to be a beauty with six winning chances. I am writing off Yayas Hot Spot and My Alpha Rock who are both 100/1 chances. Inside draws are a massive advantage when it comes to the Miracle Mile, and despite an even field, I think the barrier drawn advantage could once again provide the winner. I had a tough time deciding between Poster Boy in barrier one and Thefixer in barrier two.
Poster Boy looks certain to obtain a pegs run from his inside draw and the best-case scenario appears to be trailing a suitable rival. He came from off the speed to win the Chariots of Fire (1609m) last start in 1:49.1. Driver Chris Alford could attempt to try and hold the lead but I don’t think that happens unless he doesn’t cop a lot of pressure early. Poster Boy has won his past three starts, including the 4YO Bonanza (1720m) at Group 1 level and he should be finishing strongly.
Tiger Tara was beaten by Thefixer in the Allied Express Sprint (1609m) and I think the barrier almost puts him out of the race as he will have to do some work in the death seat.
