Special edition of Friday night harness racing tips this week as Trent Orwin is back to take a look at all 10 races from the stacked Gloucester Park meet! Read on to see his full preview and tips for every race.
Gloucester Park Harness Tips
Race 1
There is a lot of gate speed in this race with The Trilogy, Hasani and Vincenzo Peruggia most likely to use it in search for the lead. All three become the horse to beat if able to lead in this Level 12 race. The Trilogy is a last-start winner of a HWOE LT $55,000 race when leading all of the way in 1:57.6. The last half was run in 56.3 seconds as he proved too good for Caviar Star which is a good form line. Caviar Star is a short-priced favourite in tonight’s standing-start race and has won since his run behind The Trilogy. Trainer Kristian Hawkins drives tonight which is a downgrade from Ryan Warwick but The Trilogy should get a nice run close to the speed and will go close.
Race 2
A very open race that takes place over the 1730m. One For Sassy can show speed when asked to come off the gate. The same goes for Lot Twenty One, Courage Tells and Another Ayjay. I quite like the price about One For Sassy at around the $21 mark due to barrier two. His numerical form only reads fair but his first-up run when 11th of 12 was good. He should be fitter again and his chances would dramatically improve if able to find the lead. His last win was back in October when defeating Bright Diamond which is a good scalp for a race of this nature.
Race 3
On raw figures alone, Destined To Rule and Waimac Attack look the two horses to beat in the race after drawing barriers one and two respectively. I don’t believe this is a fast front line which means Waimac Attack may work to the lead from Destined To Rule. Chris Lewis drives Destined To Rule and he’s my top pick in the race after two minor placings from his past three starts. He will be able to receive cover on the pegs and with a touch of luck he should be running home strongly. All Jokes Aside hasn’t been far away and looks over the odds at $21 because he is some chance of crossing, otherwise he will race in the breeze position.
Race 4
The Art Form leads with Herrick Roosevelt racing outside of him. That speed map looks a certainty with Jaxon Fella racing behind the leader. Despite barrier seven, I believe Mattjestic Star appeals on an each-way basis at $26. He was second two starts ago in 1:54.0 when chasing home Mr Mojito. He then followed it up with a good fifth in 1:54.5. He will be relying on early speed in order to be able to finish strongly but he has turned the corner recently and could cause an upset if The Art Form and Herrick Roosevelt don’t produce their best form. The Art Form is first up and has been beaten as favourite in four runs prior to a spell – the $1.50 is far too short.
Race 5
I’m not keen on this race at all. Veiled Secret deserves to be favourite but $1.40 is short enough. Liberty Rose is also the second best chance in the race and will get a lovely run from barrier 10. The $3 for Liberty Rose doesn’t appeal either as it looks close to her right price. The Arsonist has lost a bit of form and his gate speed is very questionable which means he may be crossed in the early stages. Breach The Beach isn’t out of the race but his last couple haven’t been great – he was disappointing last start and I can’t tip him to improve enough to win here. At this stage, I’d prefer to watch the race with no horse appearing to be value.
No Bet
Race 6
I am really struggling to work out the form for this race. Illusionation can lead over 1730m which means he is a winning chance. Black Jack Zac can lack early speed; if he settles behind the leader then he is a big chance but getting back to be three pegs or similar brings him back to the field. Bob Wheel wins if leading but won’t get across Illusionation at the start and $2.20 is too short under that scenario. Smackwater Jack and Warriors Code have each-way prospects, while Talkerup and Brookies Jet can also win. In the end, I will go with Illusionation because the shortest way home is on the fence and leading over the sprint trip is a good place to be.
Race 7
Gangbuster has improved since joining the Kristian Hawkins stable. He was previously struggling in country-class races but joined Hawkins and won the Williams Cup (2666m) immediately for the new stable when driven by Corey Peterson. He was then unlucky two starts ago behind Lord Willoughby. I have put the pen through his last start when over-racing and dropping out. Peterson is back in the sulky which is a positive and the six-year-old gelding should be in front for a long way. Dominate The Dojo is a danger trailing him and there are other winning chances in the race with Mister Bushido and Rockaball the best of them.
Race 8
Our Alfie Romeo looks past the post in the eighth event. She has won her past three starts and can lead throughout to score a comfortable win here. Unfortunately, we don’t get a backable price so looking at the exotics for this race. Mary Catherine is flying so I’m happy to play an Exacta with Our Alfie Romeo to defeat Mary Catherine. Just Rockon Bye hasn’t raced since August and may need the run according to driver Gary Hall Jnr. Forever Remembered is first up and Errol Ashcroft horses aren’t always fully-fit when they resume, otherwise she would be a big chance to run second. Watch for improvement from Eyes On The Money with the stable change.
Race 9
A rare standing start race held over the 2096m as opposed to the 2503m at Gloucester Park. Atmospherical and Caviar Star are having a nice little rivalry in stands with Atmospherical winning at Pinjarra in January. At Gloucester Park two starts ago, Caviar Star was enormous when beating Atmospherical. The shorter distance could advantage Atmospherical who is a better beginner than Caviar Star. Hopefully he can steal a march on the favourite early and the $3.20 is a good price to find out if Atmospherical can beat Caviar Star again. I expect one of the pair to win the race.
Race 10
It looks like the three-year-olds have caught up to Golden Slipper winner Franco Edward who has been beaten at his past two starts. The aura of him dominating his age-group are over and Eloquent Mach may be able to deliver a third-straight loss. Eloquent Mach has impressed recently and really stepped up with a win in a 3YO Restricted event before running second behind Patrickthepiranha in the Group 3 Caduceus Club Classic (2130m). He should lead all of the way here with Franco Edward likely to run second. It’s probably not going to give much of a return but a Quinella bet with Eloquent Mach and Franco Edward looks the most likely option.
