Welcome to our preview and betting tips for harness racing at Gloucester Park this Friday, April 26th.
There's 10 races on the card as per usual and we have every race covered below!
Gloucester Park Harness Tips
Best Bet: Race 2 Caviar Star
Best Value Bet: Race 6 Our Jimmy Johnstone
Race 1 – 7:20pm AEST
Dominate The Dojo should have the necessary gate speed to cross Mistersandman at the start. The 6YO gelding has very consistent form having finished in the top four at his past seven starts. He has won one of them when leading throughout in 1:55.9 for the 1730m. The 2130m is a bit tougher for him against this opposition but he should give a sight on the pegs. Fanci A Dance is the other runner that interests me, and he should be the best closer in the race. It is wide-open with plenty of other winning hopes also.
My Rated Price: $5.00
Race 2 – 7:50pm AEST
Caviar Star drawing barrier two just about spells the end of this race as he will either find the lead off Lot Twenty One or sit outside him over the 1730m. It is a significant class drop for Caviar Star who was second two starts ago when racing outside of Kiwi Legend in 1:54.0. They won’t run that time here and Caviar Star is the class operator of the field. Stablemate Speed Man resumes from a spell, however, he draws outside of Caviar Star which makes it hard to see him winning first up. Mighty Flying Deal and Back To The Beach can sprint home strongly.
My Rated Price: $1.30
Race 3 – 8:24pm AEST
As Happy As Larry can blast off the arm when asked, although I am not sure if trainer-driver Robbie Williams will attempt that tactic. A winner two starts ago over Lady De La Renta and Luis Alberto, As Happy As Larry was narrowly beaten by Mighty Conqueror in the 2902m Easter Cup run at Group 2 level. The 7YO gelding is racing in excellent form and should be around the mark in this grade. Im Soxy has excellent form also. If he finds the lead off Bettor Be Lively then he will take some catching but could be vulnerable in the breeze to a horse like As Happy As Larry, Lord Willoughby or Cott Beach.
My Rated Price: $3.50
Race 4 – 8:52pm AEST
Former WA Derby winner King Of Swing returns from a spell. Warriors Code should lead and King Of Swing won’t get it his own way. I don’t see any value in the race and happy to sit back and watch.
No bet
Race 5 – 9:22pm AEST
Sarah Goody is a classy mare that comes out of the Easter Cup. Her form against the fillies and mares has always been good, with a win three starts ago in the Group 3 Golden Girls Mile (1684m) in 1:54.0. Barrier eight looks tricky as Corey Peterson will either have to make a serious attempt for the lead in a bid to try and cross Rosies Ideal, or go back off the gate and hope for some pace which doesn’t look to be there on paper. Her class will take her a long way regardless. Rosies Ideal has very strong claims, while Madame Meilland and Come Dance With Me are each-way hopes.
My Rated Price: $4.80
Race 6 – 9:52pm AEST
The Listed Memorial Day Stakes (2536m) looks a competitive free-for-all race with Our Jimmy Johnstone the most likely leader. Otherwise, Im Full Of Excuses looks the leader in the race. Our Jimmy Johnstone is a 10YO gelding with a record of 13 wins from 42 starts over distances more than 2300m in his career. He is in the twilight of his career and hasn’t won in 13 starts this season. Four starts ago he was narrowly beaten by Always Arjay after leading over 2130m in 1:54.3. Expect him to go close if leading. Too many chances to name in this race.
My Rated Price: $4.00
Our Jimmy Johnstone
$5.00
Race 7 – 10:25pm AEST
Herrick Roosevelt leads and wins. That looks the very likely outcome of the race and the fact that the favourite is $1.30, suggests it looks a good race to stay out.
No bet
Race 8 – 10:57pm AEST
Arma Indie showed gate speed in New Zealand and looks the leader from barrier one. She has only been cited once since arriving when running second to Typhoon Tiff in the Group 2 Daintys Daughter (2130m). That run alone makes her extremely hard to beat and if the Mike Reed-trained filly is 90 per cent right, she should take plenty of beating here. I’d prefer to have a place bet on Soho Interceptor who finished second behind Dracarys last week. She races well with a sit and is one of the better chances in the race.
Soho Interceptor to place
$3.80
Race 9 – 11:30pm AEST
A small field of five runners compete in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (2130m). Poisedtopounce is a 2YO colt for Greg and Skye Bond. He won by 17.3m at Pinjarra on Monday recording a 1:54.1 mile rate. Double Expresso is a 2YO filly for Ross Olivieri who is unbeaten in five starts. I’d prefer to go with the colt from the inside draw and he should be able to hold up from his inside draw. Jaspervellabeach is also unbeaten from two starts, but this is a step up in class. Secret Operation and Telk Tayte are up against it.
My Rated Price: $2.00
Race 10 – 11:55pm AEST
The trotters round out the card and it is a highly-competitive race between Mortician, Lord Liam and Sun Of Anarchy. Have to put Mortician on top after beating both of his rivals recently, including Lord Liam twice. Very little separates the pair and the best run will likely decide the race. Mortician looks to have some gate speed and may be able to go with Lord Liam who is a quick beginner. Sun Of Anarchy is classy and has strong claims in the race also. One of the trio will likely be the winner.
My Rated Price: $3.00
