Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park Preview 30th January

Gloucester Park will have a nine-race card for Friday night, headlined by the Trotters Cup.

A capacity field of trotters will compete in the Group 2 Trotters Cup, which is race six on the program. Majestic Ga Ga is chasing four-straight wins and she will need to overcome a 50m handicap.

The main support race for the card is the Media Cup for free-for-all pacers. Looks an even field with lots of winning chances.

Along with our race-by-race guide, we will be looking at Bathurst’s two feature races, the TAB Regional Championship Final, and the TAB Gold Rush Cup.

 

Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, January 30

 

Race 1

A race for the NR up to 60 horses and this looks a suitable assignment for the Phil Costello-trained MONTERIO (2) who was a massive run in defeat last start behind Seminole Junior. He was forced to chase a long way from home and did a great job to get so close, running a last half in 57.2 seconds. The four-year-old gelding showed gate speed last time and may be able to surge to the lead and prove hard to beat.

VINTAGE BLU (8) has the wide draw to contend with but has been racing well with a string of top four finishes. May be put into the race here. JILLIBY JAKE (10) needs luck from the draw and will finish strongly if any clear running shows itself. THE RIGHTEOUS (4) has each-way claims.

Tips: 2-8-10-4

MONTERIO (2) to win

 

Race 2

A nice, competitive race here and going to put LINCOLN RIVER NZ (3) on top after his efforts throughout the Nights of Thunder series. He finished second in the Final won by Thelittle Master. Driver Abbey Vidovich will be trying to settle close to the speed so that the gelding can make one run at them in the final lap.

HUGOTASTIC NZ (9) has some class in this line up and has strong claims despite the car park draw. Gary Hall Jnr will put him outside the leader, most likely LORD TITANIUM (2), and will try and wear the pacesetter down. NORTHVIEW DANCE NZ (5) has each-way claims for trainer-driver Chris Voak who was on fire last week. Could easily continue his great run of form. Can’t rule out MY COPY NZ (10) or SOHO VESPER LIND (1) at odds if there is too much pressure in the run.

Tips: 3-9-2-5

LINCOLN RIVER NZ (3) to win

 

Race 3

The speed map will be interesting here as HEEZ GOOD AS GOLD (1) has gate speed but isn’t racing at his best. LOU LAMOUR (4) and PETES HONOUR (6) could also be aggressive here – if the latter was able to bully to the lead without burning, then good luck to rivals.

There could be a little bit in the race early and for that reason, happy to side with LIL HAPPY FELLA (5) on an each-way basis. He is currently double figures which looks a great price. Kyle Harper retains the drive for trainer Debbie Padberg and the gelding was excellent when third behind Minos last start. He is the sort of horse that will need luck but can finish powerfully if suited.

WHOS THE DAD (7), MIKI WINDERMERE (8) and ELDAYTONA (9) all have hopes in the race too despite the poor draws.

Tips: 5-6-4-9

LIL HAPPY FELLA (5) each way

 

Race 4

The Bond stable welcomes OUR CRUNCH TIME NZ (2) to their ranks, a four-year-old gelding from New Zealand with three wins from seven starts. Should work straight to the front and from there, will prove extremely hard to run down with Deni Roberts driving.

ROCKOKOKO (10) returned to the west last week and was impressive winning from outside the leader. Harder this week with the former Kiwi pacer – if there is an upset, then this horse looks the likely culprit. Looks pretty wide open after that for potential place candidates in the race.

Tips: 2-10-8-7

OUR CRUNCH TIME NZ (2) to win

 

Race 5

The FFA event for the pacers and this looks a ripping contest with plenty of winning chances following the barrier draw. TALKS UP A STORM (1) gets a chance to lead and that’s where he does his best racing for trainer Murray Lindau. Deni Roberts will take the drive for the second start in a row and barrier seven put his chances out of reach last time.

STAR CASINO NZ (6) could get a one-one sit behind BETTER ECLIPSE (9), although GOODFELLAZ (7) could also go forward. SORRIDERE (5) is one of the best sectional horses in this race and any early pressure will suit Aiden De Campo’s horse. Throw in OTIS (3) who is also good enough to win and this is a must-watch race.

Tips: 1-6-5-9

TALKS UP A STORM (1) to win

 

Race 6

The main race is the Group 2 Trotters Cup (2503m), a standing start event that sees the backmarkers race off a 50m handicap. This is not an easy race to find the winner as it’s a full field of 12, and no dominant favourite with the handicaps. Despite a 50m mark, David Young’s PATCHED (12) has won this race twice, and is racing well despite a couple of beaten margins over 20m recently. A race like this with some depth could provide a good cart into the race which is what the veteran will need.

MAJESTIC GA GA (14) is chasing a fourth straight win and there’s no reason she won’t do just that. Massive threat. GRUMPEE (7) needs to not be what his name is, as his bad manners cost him last time. The 20m handicap is ideal if he can trot throughout. YANKEE LOVER (8), MY LIGHTNING MCQUEEN NZ (9) and QUIGGLEY (10) could all win too.

Tips: 12-14-7-9

PATCHED (12) each way

 

Race 7

There is a clear class advantage to SEBASTIAN JAMES (8) in this race and if he produces any of his best form, he should simply win. Was beaten at $1.50 last start in much harder grade. Based on his Pinjarra win two starts ago in 1:53.7, he can do it tough over the sprint distance and still win here.

LOCH TAY (1) has the inside draw and will run a good race from that position, while WATCH ME WAVE (2), OUR LILILOU (3) and ICY COLD (10) look the best place hopes in the race.

Tips: 8-1-3-2

SEBASTIAN JAMES (8) to win

 

Race 8

All the best mares in this race have drawn wide due to preferential barrier draw based on their NR class rating and that makes it a lot more difficult to decipher as SUGAR DELIGHT (5), QUEENINTHECORNER (6) and HUNGER STRIKE (7) could all potentially go forward at the start.

I don’t have a great deal of confidence here, so looking for a horse that will hopefully be at least $6 or more. ALTA ALLURE (8) for Annie Belton was a winner two starts back and has since run second to HUNGER STRIKE (7). Chris Lewis won’t be getting involved in any early burn, if there is one, and the seven-year-old daughter of the late Alta Christiano can try and make a single run at them late.

SWEET COCO NZ (9) has a big gap between her best and worst – hoping for a bit of a drift as I’d be keen on her if she gets out closer to $4.

Tips: 8-9-7-5

ALTA ALLURE (8) to win

 

Race 9

Very keen on the Michael Young-trained HI SUGA RUSH NZ (10) who may not see a more suitable race to win than the last race at headquarters. He has been racing the likes of Northview Dance, Rakero Raider and Rockokoko in recent runs – this field has no one of that calibre. Should get straight off the pegs at the start and assert his class into the race.

SIANGDI (1) and TARTAN ROBYN NZ (6) look next best in the race and can win if the favourite performs poorly.

Tips: 10-1-6-4

HI SUGA RUSH NZ (10) to win

 

Around The Tracks

Bathurst

Race 7

The Listed TAB Regional Championship Final (2260m) should see gate speed from BABY YOUR THE ONE (3) and FLASH AZARAT (5) early, while HUNTER SHANNON (7) could also get involved quickly.

BABY YOUR THE ONE (3) has won three of her past five starts for trainer Amanda Turnbull and Isobel Ross will do the driving once again. They captured the first heat of this series after working forward to take up the running and put them away with around 600m left to travel. She did it fairly easily in the end and if she can find the front, immediately becomes the horse to beat.

HUNTER SHANNON (7) has a little bit of class in this field and is consistent for Peter and Travis Bullock. They will be hoping someone can cross the favourite and then hand up to them because that would then make the gelding hardest to beat.

SEASIDER (8) was a good heat winner and if the pace goes on, could be sprouting wings late to cut them down. ART OF TERROR (1), SWEET NATE (2) and ALWAYSBMINNIE (9) are also in the mix.

Tips: 3-7-9-1

BABY YOUR THE ONE (3) to win

HUNTER SHANNON (7) to win

 

Race 8

The Listed TAB Gold Rush Cup (2790m) shouldn’t be breaking any track records with a small field of six runners, highlighted by CAPTAINS KNOCK (5) and MAX DELIGHT (6).

CAPTAINS KNOCK (5) comes off a gruelling run where he finished seventh after trying to sit outside Rakero Rocket in a blistering 1:47.3 mile rate. He has had three weeks between runs to give himself time to prepare for this and looks the likely winner at short odds.

MAX DELIGHT (6) is racing well without winning and drawing outside the favourite hurts his chances. Looks a great chance to run second with either FASHION ICON (2) or KANENA PROVLIMA (4) to run third.

Tips: 5-6-4-2

Trifecta: 5 / 6 / 2,4

 

Summary

Best Bet: Race 9 – HI SUGA RUSH NZ (10)

Next Best: Race 1 – MONTERIO (2)

Best Value: Race 3 – LIL HAPPY FELLA (5)

Best Roughie: Race 6 – PATCHED (12)

 

 

For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink