Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park 5th December

Gloucester Park will host 10 races on Friday night, highlighted by the Group 3 Navy Cup.

The first race kicks off at 5:55pm local time (8:55pm AEDT) and the Navy Cup will be run at 7:52pm (10:52pm AEDT).

Here is our race-by-race guide to Perth’s premier harness racing meeting each week.

 

Race 1

JAXON MORGAN (6) resumed with a runner up performance behind Medieval Man. He does his best racing on speed and driver Vance Stampalia will be sending him forward. Should be able to run a good race.

COLD HARD CASH (8) draws the car park but has been racing very well, including some narrow defeats behind Cordero and Captain Confetti. Both form lines are good for a race of this nature.

ERA (7) caused a huge upset last time, beating Nathan Street and Fat Louie – the latter has won since. If the race is run to suit and he can grab a cart home, he could be dangerous.

MACHANE SAID (11) rises in class and could go around big odds. His recent sectionals are decent and could be a horse to throw into exotics. Would have something small on him at odds.

Tips: 6-8-7-11

JAXON MORGAN (6) to win

 

Race 2

MAJOR JAY NZ (2) looks set to run a big race after a string of wide gates. Last start may not read well on paper, but Nutbush Girl ran strong time and Nathan Turvey’s horse ran solid personal sectionals. In-form young driver Abbey Vidovich continues to drive the gelding and if they can find the lead or race close to the speed, then they should be fighting out the finish.

DOURADO (10) is going to need some luck from the inside of the back row for Aiden De Campo. He has plenty of speed and a soft trip should see him with plenty to offer if any daylight appears.

CHACO EAGLE (4) should be used off the gate and would love to lead. Not sure whether that will eventuate but can run well second up from a spell.

TORPEDO ROCK (12) was second at his first run back from a spell. Will most likely be looking for a soft run in the moving line before making a run late. Good enough to bob up with some luck.

Tips: 2-10-4-12

MAJOR JAY NZ (2) to win

 

Race 3

MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (8) drops back from open class mares’ company and is the class runner of the field. She ran fourth in the Group 1 Mares Classic and both runs this prep have been good. Trainer-driver Stuart McDonald should have her primed to assert her class and versatility here. Looks hardest to beat and anything around $2.70 looks good enough to back.

NUTBUSH GIRL (7) may be the beneficiary of having her stablemate XCITE ME NZ (3) in the race as that mare is likely to find the pegs and would love to sit on the stablemate. Nutbush Girl has won six in a row and gets ready to tackle some serious opposition. If she doesn’t find the front, I could see her being vulnerable.

NASE VIRA (6) has her share of class in this line up also, as she comes out of the Mares Classic – she sat behind the winner and finished third. She is the third key chance in the race and should have plenty of admirers.

XCEPTIONAL ARMA (9) is a stablemate to Nase Vira. The widest draw hurts her chances, and she will need a fair amount of luck. Looks the best roughie and worth including in an Early Quaddie and back end of exotics.

Tips: 8-7-6-9

MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (8) to win

 

Race 4

HEAVENLY WAGE (10) is my best roughie on the card at around the $21 mark. Prepared by Bob Mellsop and with Deni Roberts driving, the plan will be to try and hold the back of the horse in front. Heavenly Wage is a horse that can follow speed and has run well from leader’s back at Gloucester Park before – a third to Spicey Major on consecutive occasions back in January.

MAGNUS VICTOR (12) is the class horse for trainer-driver Aiden De Campo and barrier two on the second row after the scratching is perfect. The last three runs have been terrific and deserves favouritism.

STAR CASINO NZ (8) was a good second to Golden Lode last week and despite barrier eight, he could run a strong race here. Could be put into the race with the breeze looking a nice option.

SOHO VESPER LIND (1) often takes a sit, but the time has come where she might be the leader. She is extremely consistent, comes out of the Mares Classic, and deserves her chance to try and lead them all the way. Another winning chance in an open race.

Tips: 10-12-8-1

HEAVENLY WAGE (10) each way

 

Race 5

The Navy Cup is the feature race of the night and we have a dominant short-priced favourite in Magnificent Storm.

MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (4) is currently around the $1.20 mark which suggests he is going to find the front. He crossed Minstrel last start and wasn’t good enough to hold off that horse as he finished fourth in the J P Stratton Cup. Much easier assignment here unless Lavra Joe decides to hold him out.

PENNY BLACK NZ (11) is having an awesome preparation for trainer Michael Young. She has won eight from 18 this season, showing that she is WA’s top mare. She was an unlucky seventh behind Minstrel and barrier 11 looks very good here. Should be finishing powerfully and could cause an upset if Magnificent Storm wasn’t able to lead.

LAVRA JOE (2) has been an iron horse in WA, winning 37 races and more than $830,000 in prize money. At his best, he would lead and be hard to run down, but there are now question marks on his form after failing to beat a runner home at his last three. They might try and chance the arm and hold up, but I could see them sitting here to give him a chance at running into a minor placing. Worth a very small bet if he is big odds.

NERANO NZ (8) leaves Jason Grimson for Lindsay Harper and is the query runner of the field. Three starts back he defeated Captains Knock who has gone to another level this year. The wide draw hurts so prefer to see what he does in his first run for 2025.

Tips: 4-11-2-8

Trifecta: 4/2,11/1,2,6,8,11

 

Race 6

MENEMSHA (8) drops in class after tackling the Group 1 Golden Nugget four starts ago and the J P Stratton Cup last time. Will begin from the outside of the front row, which is the obvious concern, however, he is fast and will be hoping they don’t crawl out in front. Will rely on the tempo dictating his chances but happy to be on him if he’s around the $4 to $5 mark.

ARMA BELIEVER (4) would love to be able to get the lead from HES NEVER BEEN BETA NZ (1). Not sure which horse will be leading but has strong claims if leading or sitting 1 out 1 back.

THE IRON DUKE (7) has won two of his past five starts and may have to sit outside the leader for the third straight race. Definitely good enough to win and has Gary Hall Jnr driving like normal.

CORDERO (6) loves to pop up at big odds, including back-to-back placings at $91 and $23. Will sit on the pegs, hope for luck, and if that comes, he can run into a placing once again.

Tips: 8-4-7-6

MENEMSHA (8) to win

 

Race 7

FAT LOUIE NZ (3) let down strongly to win last start and barrier three gives Chris Voak plenty of options. Would love to lead or seek cover if not able to find that position. Looks a winning chance in a race that looks difficult to settle on just one runner. Need around the $4 mark to get involved.

ROCKANDROLLARTIST (8) proved too good for SWEET LUCIFER (6) and NATHAN STREET (9) on November 7. Will probably rely on some luck – worth a bet at around the $21 or greater mark.

BLAZE AWAY (1) looks a big improver after getting the coveted barrier one. Hasn’t been far away in recent efforts, although Fat Louie went straight past him last start. Could turn the tables if holding the lead, but around $2.50 looks too short to back this horse.

NATHAN STREET (9) has looked a bit of a tricky horse to follow since arriving in Perth. He was grabbed by Era last start which isn’t the best form for a race like this but can’t deny his talent. His best is good enough to win despite the horror draw.

Tips: 3-8-1-9

FAT LOUIE NZ (3) to win

ROCKANDROLLARTIST (8) to win

 

Race 8

BURGHLEY SHARD NZ (11) is a last start winner at Pinjarra in 1:58.1. In what looks a difficult race on paper, happy go with some winning form, and a horse that should look to trail SHEZA BROMAC NZ (2) through at the start. Currently double figure odds, and worth a bet.

HES A COOL MACH (1) comes up with gate one for the second straight start, although this is a better assignment as the class did not suit last time. He could run a cheeky race this time around and double figures is good enough to get involved also.

OH MIKI (12) can be tricky to catch at times, although that was not the case at Bunbury as he belted them by 15.6 metres. If he repeats the dose, then he will prove extremely hard to beat. Barrier 12 could even things up a little bit for rivals and I can’t entertain at the current odds of around $2.80. Has lots of upside though and could simply just win again.

LOCAL RESIDENT (7) is another winning chance in the race and that is before including the likes of WANDERING GIRL (8), STAR LILLY (9) and FRANCO MECCA NZ (10). Not super confident in the race so just a small play on the top two horses above due to their odds.

Tips: 11-1-12-7

BURGHLEY SHARD NZ (11) to win

HES A COOL MACH (1) to win

 

Race 9

SKYLOU NZ (10) was a winner from 30m at Pinjarra and goes back 10m to start from the 40m backmark. His class is obvious, but the handicap makes it a contest now. Not keen unless he drifts out on race night as anything under $3.50 looks too thin for me to get involved.

WHOS THE DAD (6) is a horse that could surprise with the right run. Raced in an NR 85+ two runs ago when seventh to Justcallmemiki. Hasn’t won in a while but can run sectionals that can see him competitive off a 10m mark. Having something small on at double figures.

ROCK ME OVER (8) continues to race in consistent form, winning once and four minor placings from his last five starts. He can do a bit of work and will be looking to keep a handicap advantage on Skylou in order to try and turn the tables.

DAWSON NZ (9) returns to the stand which suits and a 20m handicap looks good. Three runs ago he was second behind Copy Cat Queen in the Golden Nugget Preview. Definite claims.

Tips: 10-6-8-9

WHOS THE DAD (6) each way

 

Race 10

IN RARE AIR NZ (5) gets the barrier draw advantage over AMALFI KNIGHT (7) and PATRIARCH NZ (8) in what is a good 2YO clash. Deni Roberts will try and stay ahead of the other two rivals with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained gelding. If they could find the front, then they would prove very hard to beat.

PATRIARCH NZ (8) got the better of them last time when well supported and breezing in a slick 1:55.2 mile rate. Currently a shade of odds on which looks too short from the outside gate. Strong claims though.

AMALFI KNIGHT (7) has lots of talent and is the other main winning chance along with the two horses mentioned above. Can entertain a bet on him if he gets out a little more – anything around the $6 mark is good enough.

Tips: 5-8-7-4

IN RARE AIR NZ (5) to win

 

Summary

Best Bet: Race 10 – IN RARE AIR NZ

Next Best: Race 3 – MADAM PUBLISHER NZ

Best Value: Race 8 – BURGHLEY SHARD NZ

Best Roughie: Race 4 – HEAVENLY WAGE

 

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink