Eight harness racing meetings will be held on Friday, April 11th. Gloucester Park, Melton, and Young are the meetings we’ve taken a keen interest in with plenty of value to be found across the programs. Here are our best bets across the country for Friday night’s pacing and trotting action.
Harness Racing Tips: Friday, April 11th 2025
Gloucester Park Race 3: CATALANO MS PACE (2130 METRES) – 6:18pm (8:18pm AEST)
(7) Sorridere is a classy five-year-old gelding for trainer-driver Aiden De Campo who was last seen finishing second behind Mister Smartee in the Group 1 Golden Nugget (2536m) back in December. He returns without a trial but was a winner first up last preparation and his class and speed should take him a long way in this event.
(1) Blameitonthenight has drawn the coveted inside draw with top reinsman Gary Hall Jnr in the sulky. He was a winner of an NR 50 to 70 race last time and despite jumping up significantly in grade tonight, he will be trying to lead them all the way.
(6) Soho Santorini has a shocking draw to contend with in a race that has some quality form. Two starts ago he claimed the Listed Im Themightyquinn (2130m) when blasting over to lead. That scenario doesn’t present itself tonight but if there is a bit of speed on, then Soho Santorini can finish strongly, and I am happy to have something small on at big odds.
Also backing: (6) Soho Santorini WIN $26 (1 Unit)
(7) Sorridere WIN
$4.20 (2 Units)
Gloucester Park Race 5: GOVERNORS CUP (G3) FFA MS PACE (2130 METRES) – 7:17pm (9:17pm AEST)
(1) Otis has taken the step up to FFA grade well, including a second placing in the Group 3 Village Kid Sprint (1730m) and a third placed effort in the Group 3 Bunbury Cup (2569m). The plan here will be simple, try and hold leader’s back or enjoy a cosy three-pegs run and look to run into the minor money. Happy to back him on a 1x2 basis in the event.
(4) Mister Smartee has won 15 of his 19 career starts for the powerful Gary Hall Snr and Jnr combination. He will look to turn the tables on Magnificent Storm after drawing inside him and this FFA event looks the highlight on the program tonight. I couldn’t take $1.50 but he does deserve favouritism in the race.
(6) Magnificent Storm continues to be one of Perth’s best pacers right now and he showed that with a win in the Bunbury Cup last time. The reigning WA Pacing Cup (2536m) champion will not get things his own way tonight, but a win would enhance his prospects heading towards The Nullarbor.
Young Race 5: THE TAB APP WARATAH HEAT (1720 METRES) – 7:55pm AEST
(2) Bettors Hope will be trying to find the front in this heat of the Waratah, but Bushy Beach may have something to say about that. I suspect Keilor Baby Shark would be happy taking a trail in this grade. Bettors Hope has been knocking on the door lately with a pair of thirds to kick off his campaign for trainer Mat Rue. His latest effort was exceptional, and a repeat performance would see him extremely hard to beat tonight.
(10) Thalassophobia is another runner in very good form. He was a narrow second behind My Crackling Rosie at Wagga in a slick 1:53.6 mile rate. Barrier four on the second line means that the four-year-old gelding will have his work cut out around this circuit.
(7) Leavemeout begins from the inside of the second row and was a Wagga winner two starts back in easier company. He then stepped up sharply in class and was second behind Boom in an NR up to 90 event. Drops back to NR up to 60 grade, with an in-form driver in Amy Diebert, but will need some luck in order to get a crack at them late.
(2) Bettors Hope WIN
$2.10 (3 Units)
Melton Race 8: MIMOSA HOMES MAIDEN TROT (1720 METRES) – 9:32pm AEST
(8) Cashout has been placed in two of three career starts and will be hoping to break the maiden here with Jason Lee driving. The past two efforts, both placed, have seen the three-year-old gelding run quicker sectionals than his rivals. At around the $5 mark, I think this trotter is a great bet.
(7) Exasperation joins Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars after two runs for trainer Emma Stewart. He looks to have plenty of talent and his best will see him hard to catch as he looks to open his winning account for the new stable.
(1) Princess Du Fer is on debut for NSW trainer Blake Fitzpatrick. The three-year-old filly has had eight trials over the past year and a half (two recent) and she must be respected in this maiden.
(8) Cashout WIN
$4.80 (2 Units)
