Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park 9th January

Eight races will be run and won at Gloucester Park on Friday night, as we see the return of Hugotastic in the free for all event.

We bring you our race-by-race guide, including our best harness racing tips for Gloucester Park’s January 9 meeting.

Race 1

ALTA ALLURE (6) is one of the class runners here and champion driver Chris Lewis is likely to be aggressive early. She hasn’t had too many good opportunities to win in recent starts due to circumstances or racing up in grade, so this looks a lot better for the Annie Belton-trained runner. If she settles on the speed without expending too much early energy, then she should go close.

SWEET IVY NZ (2) hasn’t had much luck in recent efforts, but she is holding her form well with three placings from her last four starts. Jocelyn Young is going to have her work cut out in this event as the class runners have drawn wider on the track which means a few of those need to go forward and could see Sweet Ivy get shuffled back – although she could end up buried on the fence if that’s the desired option instead. It’s a tricky race to start proceedings and this mare could be double figures, so would be happy having something on.

Lots of respect for quite a few others in the race too. LOCH TAY (1) gets the perfect draw, SOHO VESPER LIND (7) has the best form of the Kim Prentice trio and CHAMPAGNE EVERYONE (9) is racing well for Aiden De Campo.

Tips: 6-2-9-1

ALTA ALLURE (6) to win

SWEET IVY NZ (2) to win

Race 2

JASPERVELLABEACH (1) is trying to wind the clock back this campaign by returning to form. Three starts ago he led throughout at Bunbury in 1:57.8 for the 2100m. At his latest, he was sixth after racing back in the field which isn’t his go. Deni Roberts picks up the drive and Jaspervellabeach should be holding the front in this class. From there, he should prove hard to run down.

PINNY NOIR (6) is another Bunbury winner from three starts back when leading as an odds-on favourite. Should go forward to either sit outside the leader or look for some cover on a horse like WICKED HUSTLER (8) who won from that position in an easier race last time.

LORD TITANIUM (10) gets a lovely trailing draw and can be in the money from that draw. Smaller hope to RAKERO RAIDER NZ (3).

Tips: 1-6-10-8

JASPERVELLABEACH (1) to win

Trifecta: 1,6 / 1,6,10 / 1,3,6,8,10

Race 3

BEYOND BLING (3) is knocking on the door for trainer Lang Inwood and Emily Suvaljko picks up the drive with Shannon driving FEELING ACES (10) instead. Based on the last start tactics, Beyond Bling should fire out looking for the pegs first – Suvaljko can then decide to either try and hold the front or hand to MADDY LOU (5) who is a good frontrunner. With options from the draw, happy to side with Beyond Bling here in a competitive-looking race.

MIDDLEPAGE (6) is one of two Lindsay Harper-trained runners in the race and may be able to get some cover on the stablemate ELWADDELL (7). Middlepage was second last start over the sprint journey, and this should be more to his liking. Should be a nice enough price here from the draw so happy to be backing him also in the race.

This could be a leg to go wider in an Early Quaddie with AMERICAN MONARCH (1) having a nice draw for Gary Hall Jnr and CHACO EAGLE (11) is also good enough to win this type of race.

Tips: 3-6-7-10

BEYOND BLING (3) to win

MIDDLEPAGE (6) to win

Race 4

THELITTLE MASTER (7) has the most consistent sectionals in the race, but the draw once again is not in his favour. If the Greg and Skye Bond runner decides to go back, then hopefully he can get a cart into the race as SWEET COCO NZ (9) and SUGAR DELIGHT (6) haven’t drawn well either. Thelittle Master last won in June, however a race like this may have some pressure, and that is what will be needed in order for him to get home powerfully at good odds.

SWEET COCO NZ (9) was massive in defeat last start when third behind Franco Encore. Will need to be a big run again after drawing wide, but she has lots of ability and her win three starts back was excellent in 1:54.8. Has options for Gary Hall Jnr.

SUGAR DELIGHT (6), NATHAN STREET (11), FRANCO ENCORE NZ (12) and LOUIE LEBEAU NZ (1) look next best in the race.

Tips: 7-9-11-6

THELITTLE MASTER (7) each way

Race 5

HUGOTASTIC NZ (4) creates a lot of interest at his return and he has won all four starts since arriving in Western Australia. Prepared by Michael Young, the six-year-old gelding could be a future Cups horse, and the camp will be hopeful of a forward showing here after a nice hit out at Byford. Would love to find the lead here if possible, otherwise will be content sitting parked or gaining some cover on BETTER ECLIPSE (9) if Gary Hall Jnr sends him forward again.

BETTER ECLIPSE (9) didn’t fire straight away and has been a work in progress in the west – he has found some form now with a win followed by a second placing. Awful draw but has a lot of class in this line up, so must be well respected.

WHATARETHEODDS (2) resumes and his best form is good enough to win this race. Just a question on how forward he is for this event. QUINTON (3) is airborne and could be a knockout hope, while MY WATCHLIST NZ (10) could be buried on the pegs which makes it harder for his winning streak to extend to four.

Tips: 4-9-2-3

HUGOTASTIC NZ (4) to win

Race 6

NORTHVIEW DANCE NZ (9) has to overcome the dreaded barrier nine over the sprint journey, but he meets an easier field than what he has raced this prep. Trainer-driver Chris Voak is going to have to cover some ground early trying to find the breeze position and will be hoping the gelding’s toughness and class can run them down. If he had drawn closer in, he would almost be a good thing – this draw can be a great leveller, so let’s hope it just means getting a better price.

HI SUGA RUSH NZ (10) has been disappointing in the previous two starts – any return to previous form and this horse will prove extremely hard to beat. Still looms as a very strong candidate tonight to return to some of his best form.

SYNCHRONIZER (1) comes up with barrier one and that can see a much-improved performance. JAXON MORGAN (4) and ROCKSTAR QUALITY (6) look next best in the race.

Tips: 9-10-1-6

NORTHVIEW DANCE NZ (9) to win

Race 7

FRANCO MECCA NZ (6) is ticking along nicely in stronger company and this should be more to the liking of the Matthew Scott-trained six-year-old gelding. Shannon Suvaljko may drive him aggressively over the 1730m. No runner in this field has a good strike rate at Gloucester Park, but someone is going to notch an extra victory beside their name here. Let’s hope it is Franco Mecca!

LORD PUBLISHER NZ (3) has also been racing tougher company and will relish a good barrier with Chris Voak continuing to drive the horse. His sectional times are right up to the mark here and looks a strong contender.

MACHANE SAID (4) has each-way claims while MISTER KOPA (1) and MASTER REMI (2) will enjoy their good draws.

Tips: 6-3-4-2

FRANCO MECCA NZ (6) to win

Race 8

GREVIS (10) is going to need some luck here as he drops in grade from recent racing. Soft trips are what he thrives on and if the gaps come for him, then he could be dangerous. Should be reasonable odds in this event too so an each-way bet.

COLD HARD CASH (7) is an NR69 runner which makes him the class commodity for Brad and Toby Lynn. He has a strong last 800m in him and with a little bit of luck from barrier seven, he could prove hard to hold out late.

KOOJAN (8) looks ready to win so this could be the night for him, while LOU LAMOUR (5) is also suited in this event. It is a competitive race to finish the program.

Tips: 10-7-8-5

GREVIS (10) each way

Summary

Best Bet: Race 5 – HUGOTASTIC NZ (4)

Next Best: Race 2 – JASPERVELLABEACH (1)

Best Value: Race 1 – SWEET IVY NZ (2)

Best Roughie: Race 4 – THELITTLE MASTER (7)

For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink