Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park 2nd January

Gloucester Park will host nine races on Friday night’s metro card, and we have completed the form for every race.

 

 

Here is our race-by-race Gloucester Park harness racing preview for Friday, January 2.

Race 1

HEAVENLY WAGE (2) comes up with a good draw which will give driver Abbey Vidovich options. There is good gate speed on this front line, so I am not sure what the plan will be, but Heavenly Wage does his best racing from just off the speed. Last start, the Bob Mellsop-trained seven-year-old gelding raced 1 out 1 back and ran over the top late. Should be very competitive again.

SWEET COCO NZ (7) is a mare that can do things wrong. Her best form is good enough as shown two starts back when defeating QUINTON (6) who also looks a good chance in a really open race to kick off the program.

ILLAWONG MUSTANG (1), TORPEDO ROCK (3), FRANCO ENCORE NZ (4) and ROCK ME OVER (5) all draw well enough to be each-way chances in the race too. Should be a great way to kickstart 2026 at Gloucester Park.

Tips: 2-7-6-5

HEAVENLY WAGE (2) each way

 

Race 2

INFINITE SIGN (1) has been crying out for a barrier draw and the coveted gate one has fallen the way of the Jocelyn Young-trained gelding. Four starts back he was second to Dame Valour and then followed it up with a third to Magnus Victor who has since won a FFA contest. Will look to lead throughout with Madeliene Young in the sulky.

GAITCRASHER (12) represents Aiden De Campo who had an excellent 2025 season and will be looking to do the same in 2026. Gaitcrasher finished third last start against My Watchlist which is good form and looms as a strong each-way contender – the draw looks quite good with GREVIS (11) likely to drop straight to the fence.

ARIONROCK (5) has a tricky draw in five but was able to get a well-deserved victory at Northam in easier company last start. Prior form at Gloucester Park was consistent and with a little bit of luck, should be finishing powerfully.

Tips: 1-12-5-2

INFINITE SIGN (1) to win

 

Race 3

YAWOMA (3) has been a model of consistency, although that has been frustrating for punters with Bob Mellsop’s gelding beaten at odds of $2.70 or less in four of his past five starts. He has finished within 2.3m of the winner in all five recent runs, and the latest was a narrow second in 1:53.7 at Pinjarra. Gets Gary Hall Jnr for Friday’s assignment over the sprint journey and that may be enough to propel him back into the winner’s circle.

NORTHVIEW DANCE NZ (10) is in excellent form for trainer-driver Chris Voak, thriving from the breeze position at his past two. Gets the trailing draw behind HENTY (1) and can be dangerous if he gets any clear running.

HENTY (1) can lead and take them a long way, while PINNY NOIR (2) and LINCOLN RIVER NZ (7) are the other key horses in this race over the sprint journey.

Tips: 3-10-1-2

YAWOMA (3) to win

 

Race 4

MY WATCHLIST NZ (1) showed some gate speed in May 2025 when drawn wide so I suspect he can hold up but there is good speed to his outside. Barrier one can prove tricky for some horses when trying to leave the arm fast, so it won’t be a shock if he is crossed either. He is chasing a hat-trick of wins for trainer Gary Hall Snr – if he gets crossed, expect Gary Hall Jnr to look to either get straight off or wait and push out at some point. Looks hardest to beat.

MAUNGATAHI (10) will be hoping that My Watchlist does lead as that gives him strong each way claims. He won back-to-back races before a bit of an unlucky run last time when sixth. He should have plenty to offer if any daylight appears.

IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (11), YOURE SO FINE NZ (7), SWEET LUCIFER (2) and ROCKANDROLLARTIST (6) also have claims in the race. It may not be the strongest fast class race seen here, it’s not even an FFA, but looks really intriguing.

Tips: 1-10-11-7

MAUNGATAHI (10) each way

 

Race 5

IT IS CRUNCH TIME (2) for this four-year-old gelding who comes out of handy 3YO races from last season. Ideally, he can press on to take the lead from ALFA PRINCE (1). It Is Crunch Time is one of two Ryan Bell-trained horses in the race and driver Liam Elliott has picked this horse rather than OH MIKI (3) who he has also been driving. Should go close in this line up.

FAT LOUIE NZ (5) represents the Voak Train and has been racing stronger fields with Nathan Street and My Watchlist just some of his recent rivals. His sectional times this prep have been strong and looks a major contender.

SUGAR DELIGHT (10) is suited in this class and will be dangerous with a little luck, while Alfa Prince and BETTOR ARCADE (12) deserve mention.

Tips: 2-5-10-1

IT IS CRUNCH TIME (2) to win

 

Race 6

BULL SHARK BETTY (7) made the trek to Busselton for Boxing Day where she was a narrow second after charging home. She rated 2:05.0, running home in 61.4 seconds, which isn’t too bad for the track. Will need some luck from the wide draw but she is capable of quicker sectionals than most of her rivals here and Ryan Warwick is a nice driver change.

ICY COLD (8) also draws wide over the sprint journey, but the class horses have all drawn wide on the track which makes this a great race on paper. Was a beaten favourite last time at Pinjarra in a much stronger race – should be going close here.

MISS KNOWALL (5), SHES A MARE (9) and VYBRANT (1) look the other main contenders in this event.

Tips: 7-8-5-9

BULL SHARK BETTY (7) to win

 

Race 7

HUNGER STRIKE (1) comes up with barrier one once again and will prove extremely hard to beat for the combination of Nathan Turvey and Abbey Vidovich. She set the pace at her previous two races, winning both, including the latest in 1:55.5, 56.7. A repeat performance like that and she simply wins again.

XCITE ME NZ (3) continues to race well as she drops in class for this assignment. If she can obtain some cover close to the speed, she could be dangerous in this line up. Her sectionals read well and driver Kyle Harper should give her every chance of success – hoping she is an each-way price.

THE WILDCARD (6) can be lit up at the start in a bid to try and cross Hunger Strike. He will want to lead or trail if he does run the gate as being caught without cover would likely end his chances early. Supporters of this horse should know their fate within the first 300 metres of the race.

COLD HARD CASH (2) and LORD TITANIUM (7) are next best.

Tips: 1-3-6-2

XCITE ME NZ (3) each way

 

Race 8

WICKED HUSTLER (1) gets a great chance after drawing barrier one and will be looking to lead all-the-way. All of his recent mile rates are quite strong when compared to tonight’s field and there doesn’t look a lot of pressure on paper as there isn’t a genuine breeze horse. His win five starts back in 1:54.5 at Pinjarra was good and he deserves a fourth career win.

CLASSICAL ELLIE (5) dashed home in 27-flat at Pinjarra and she has strong claims in the race. Apart from her run three starts ago which was out of the ordinary, she has run well in every other recent start.

MARBEECHSAM (7) looks next best in the race and if the race is run to suit, then Ryan Warwick will make them pay.

Tips: 1-5-7-2

WICKED HUSTLER (1) to win

 

Race 9

ECLIPSE LINE (8) has good form with three wins coming from the last four starts for trainer Michael Young. Emily Suvaljko will take the drive following a win at Albany as a short-priced favourite. This is harder than that victory, but it still looks a suitable race to try and make it three-straight wins.

ALWAYSBFRANK (6) is ticking along nicely and does drop in class for this race. There’s nothing wrong with his recent racing and this does look more suitable than anything he has recently contested. Hoping for an each-way price in the race.

Not super keen outside of that duo but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other winning hopes – I am just struggling to put some of these in order.

Tips: 8-6-5-9

ALWAYSBFRANK (6) each way

 

Summary

 

Around The Tracks

Race 8 at Goulburn will be the Goulburn Cup (2240m) featuring CAPTAINS KNOCK (12), DON HUGO (13) and SWAYZEE (14). All three of the big guns have drawn poorly which makes this an entertaining clash. Throw in DONEGAL LUTHER NZ (9) who upset Captains Knock and Swayzee in the Shirley Turnbull Memorial (2790m) at Bathurst. My tip for the Goulburn Cup is Don Hugo.

 

For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink