A massive slate of harness racing meetings will be held on Anzac Day, headlined by the $1.25 million Group 1 The Nullarbor. Here are our best bets for Friday night’s racing – good luck to everyone following along!
Harness Racing Tips: Friday, April 25th 2025
Coolamon Race 9: DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE (2210 METRES) – 4:48pm AEST
(4) Thalassophobia is a four-year-old gelding for leading Riverina trainer-driver Jackson Painting. Not blessed with quick gate speed, I am hoping Thalassophobia can hold a forward position early considering the two horses drawn to his outside can get off the gate well. Both recent Wagga runs were very respectable in quick mile rates. As long as the gelding can either work to the top or find some cover in the moving line, then he can prove hard to hold out in this event.
(10) Missaudacious was excellent at her first run back from a spell when facing the breeze and defeating Precise who has plenty of ability. Prior to a spell, Missaudacious had also been a winner at Wagga when leading throughout at a short quote. She will most likely be seeking the breeze position again and looks a strong chance to bring up a hat-trick.
(1) Just Rollyourown gets the plum draw for trainer-driver John Downey and is a last start Parkes winner in an NR up to 58 race when running them down from a midfield position. This is harder but the draw suggests he can be an each-way commodity.
(4) Thalassophobia WIN
$2.40 (3 units)
Hobart Race 5: TASMANIAN HORSE TRANSPORT PACE (2090 METRES) – 7:41pm AEST
(2) Goodtime Oscar makes his way from Victoria to join Brighton trainer Tammy Langley. The four-year-old gelding has won once from 16 starts, but that could change shortly with the change of scenery looking to be a positive one. Goodtime Oscar has won a trial against two stablemates when working home from last in 29.7 and 28.6 splits (slightly faster for the gelding). The first plan will be trying to find the lead in this NR 40 to 44 event.
(1) Sapphire Gambler has been runner up in his previous three races and looks the obvious danger on paper. Driver Mark Yole has options, whether he wants to lead or trail and utilise the sprint lane.
(8) Colby Art draws to get a soft run on the pegs and has a string of fourths and a third in recent events. Looms as a place chance once again.
(2) Goodtime Oscar WIN
$3.50 (2 units)
Gloucester Park Race 8: WESTSIDE AUTO WHOLESALE FINANCING AVAILABLE MS PACE (2130 METRES) – 8:41pm (10:41pm AEST)
(6) Rollindowntheriver has been a model of consistency this preparation with five-straight top four finishes. Driver Ryan Warwick is just going to bide his time with Ya Bettor Followme and Franco Sheriff racing on the speed. The best scenario would be the former holding the top and the latter sitting outside him, as that would give Rollindowntheriver his best chance to sweep past them late. The price is appealing given that scenario could unfold.
(4) Franco Sheriff has had two WA starts since arriving from New Zealand for mixed fortunes. He was a winner at his first start in the state before finishing 11th when being denied the breeze. You can put the pen through that effort, and he looks suited in this grade.
(1) Ya Bettor Followme tried to lead them up last time and stopping quickly in the final 50 metres of the event. I am not sure whether they try to lead again or take a sit on Franco Sheriff. Either way, he is one of the main dangers in the race.
(6) Rollindowntheriver WIN
$5.50 (2 units)
Gloucester Park Race 10: TABTOUCH THE NULLARBOR (G1) (2536 METRES) – 9:35pm (11:35pm AEST)
The final race on the card is the feature event, The Nullarbor. A field of 10 will contest the staying race which sees two interstate visitors, both boasting megastar CVs in the form of Catch A Wave and Swayzee.
(4) Minstrel has been an incredible pacer for Greg and Skye Bond and the eight-year-old gelding has drawn the best of the big guns. Runner up in the 2024 Inter Dominion Final (2300m), he resumed with victory in the Group 3 Pinjarra Cup (2692m) followed by a game second in the Group 3 Mount Eden Sprint (1684m) when facing the breeze in a track record 1:49.9-mile rate. Minstrel is the most likely leader in The Nullarbor, and if he can find that position without expending too much early energy, he is clearly the horse to beat and will take a power of beating. Clear top pick for me and is the best chance the local horses have of capturing this prestigious event. The first two editions went to interstate runners with Betterzippit (2023) and Catch A Wave (2024) saluting.
(9) Catch A Wave draws the car park for his defence of The Nullarbor. A winner of 26 races from 52 starts, the six-year-old gelding represents trainer Andy Gath and will be driven by Kate Gath. He was brilliant last start at Gloucester Park when smashing rivals from the front end. I am not sure if that is on the cards despite Catch A Wave having gate speed when they want to use it. His versatility means he could go back and come with a run late or may be put into the race early.
(10) Swayzee is the other key winning chance, and I expect one of the leading trio to win unless they go berserk in the race. Prepared by Jason Grimson, regular driver Cam Hart will pilot the seven-year-old gelding who is a dual New Zealand Cup winner. Hart is going to restrain early and look to put Swayzee into the race with the breeze position looking the most likely speed map for the NSW visitor.
(4) Minstrel WIN
$2.40 (3 units)
