Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park Preview 23rd January

Gloucester Park hosts a nine-race card and the sparks are set to fly in the Nights of Thunder Final over the sprint distance.

A field of nine contests the $48,500 Nights of Thunder Final (1730m) and it should be a great spectacle to watch.

In addition to the race-by-race Gloucester Park preview, we will be looking at the Group 3 Golden Guitar Final (1980m) worth $50,000 and the Tamworth City Cup (2360m).

Back in the west, the Busselton Cup (2680m) will be run and there is a strong quartet of runners that will make it a competitive event.

 

Gloucester Park Preview – Friday, January 23

 

Race 1

An interesting runner in the form of ROCKOKOKO (6) who returns to WA after starting his career with Bryan Cousins. He then headed east to join the McCarthy stable. Has been off the scene since 2024, with three barrier trials under the belt. The latest for Aiden De Campo was in 1:57.6, dropping a 26.9 third quarter. If he brings any of his Menangle form here, including a second behind Ubetcha Tigerpie, then the six-year-old entire will prove hard to beat.

HI SUGA RUSH NZ (2) gets a chance for an easy lead and will be the main danger to Rockokoko. With fitness on his side, the gelding is going to take plenty of catching. OH MIKI (11) is next best in the race.

Tips: 6-2-11-5

ROCKOKOKO (6) to win

 

Race 2

A very open race on paper and one where I don’t have a great deal of confidence in narrowing down the winner. At least half the runners in this race have solid claims and that includes newcomer MINOS NZ (11) from Victoria. He was third in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2680m) won by Major Hot. His form in Victoria tapered before having almost a year off. Has trialled well for this.

SWEET LUCIFER (7) was in that trial and has strong each-way claims. Not a race that I am keen to suggest anything, so I’d look to go a bit wider in any Early Quaddies.

Tips: 11-7-8-2

 

Race 3

There is gate speed with LOU LAMOUR (1), QUEENINTHECORNER (3) and LOUIE LEBEAU NZ (5) engaged in the race. Lou Lamour may take some cover on Queeninthecorner who has run well at her last two starts for Chris Voak. If she can find the front, she becomes the horse to beat, otherwise it opens things right up for a few poorly drawn horses.

GAITCRASHER (8) has the horror draw to overcome: he has been running some quick mile rates compared to rivals, but his last halves and quarters haven’t been flash lately due to strong tempos throughout. He will need that strong tempo as a dash home will not suit from this draw. Could potentially be put into the race here. LOU LAMOUR (1) can run well, while LOUIE LEBEAU NZ (5) has knockout claims if the race is run to suit.

Tips: 3-1-8-5

QUEENINTHECORNER (3) to win

 

Race 4

The FFA looks a great race for the Gary Hall Snr-trained seven-year-old gelding MY WATCHLIST NZ (5) who strung together four wins on the trot this campaign before a luckless seventh behind HOTLY PURSUED (6) last start. Expecting Gary Hall Jnr to be aggressive and look to force his way to the front. My Watchlist has shown he can win a few different ways, so versatility should help his cause here.

MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (1) should get a soft run and her form against the open class mares is good. This is a step up but she can acquit herself well. GOODFELLAZ (9) returns and will likely need the run. IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (10) has solid place claims.

Tips: 5-1-10-12

MY WATCHLIST NZ (5) to win

 

Race 5

The big race of the night is the Nights of Thunder Final (1730m) and this looks a cracking race on paper. ARMA BELIEVER (8) can let rip early and that looks the likely decision here as BETTOR ARCADE (2) isn’t as sharp off the gate. Any early pace, especially if the first half is run in 55 or 56 seconds should suit the speedy NATHAN STREET (7) and THELITTLE MASTER (9).

I’ll side with NATHAN STREET (7) who appears to be a frustrating horse at times. His best form is good and if he can get a suitable run off the pace, then he could be charging over the top late. He won his heat as a $1.18 favourite but that was run perfectly for him, as Hall Jnr dictated and dashed home. Prior to that, the gelding’s second behind Franco Encore was good too.

ARMA BELIEVER (8) should run a big race at the front of the field and LINCOLN RIVER NZ (5) deserves a mention as he was unlucky in the heat. Each-way claims here.

Tips: 7-8-5-9

NATHAN STREET (7) to win

 

Race 6

LENORA JANE (1) drops in grade from recent runs where she has tackled Hunger Strike and Alta Allure. She may be searching for a trail behind VINITA ROSE NZ (3) who has hit some really good form lately. Lenora Jane can run strong sectionals, especially with a helmet to follow, and if she can get any luck late in the race, may be able to run over the top.

VINITA ROSE NZ (3) was excellent winning a Pinjarra stand last start and looks the likely leader in the race. If she reproduces her last run, she will be hard to stop.

SHEER ROCK LADY (10) is the other winning hope in the race – this is a tricky draw if they stay three back on the fence, otherwise she needs to get off and be put into the race. If that scenario happens, it may help Lenora Jane. LOCH TAY (11) is next best.

Tips: 1-3-10-11

LENORA JANE (1) to win

 

Race 7

A small field of seven runners over the sprint distance and three-year-old CEASE TO REACT (9) for trainer Michael Young looks hardest to beat despite the widest draw. He has a lot of speed and has won two of his last three. The latest was a walk in the park for the $1.18 favourite.

Outside of the favourite, BURGHLEY SHARD NZ (1), HE IS TALKING (4), RAJAH ROCKS (5) and KOOJAN (8) are all good enough to win.

Tips: 9-4-8-1

CEASE TO REACT (9) to win

 

Race 8

A standing start event and DOURADO (1) looks well handicapped off the front line with back-to-back wins beside his name. This is harder than both of those victories, but trainer-driver Aiden De Campo will be trying to lead all the way. If he can dictate, then he should be hard to run down.

MAUNGATAHI (8) is the class runner off 40m and that isn’t an easy handicap when taking on Dourado. He came off 30m last time when finishing second to Feeling Aces and I’d say Dourado might be a harder prospect to run down. MY COPY NZ (5) could be the forgotten horse in the field and I am happy to have something on him at odds too. He may be around the $21 mark and that’s a good price as his form is consistent.

DOURADO (1) to win

MY COPY NZ (5) to win

 

Race 9

A tricky race to finish the night so going to throw one out that might be a big price based on the early market. HOTFOOT IT NZ (2) has been racing against much better opposition lately. Would love to find the fence first and that would enhance his chances of saluting if able to do so. He won a slightly easier race at the start of December when leading throughout with Toby Lynn. Looks a nice each way bet in a tough race to decipher.

MADAM MAGGIE (3) is ticking along nicely and could surge to the lead here with Chris Lewis driving. She will be very hard to beat if able to lead, otherwise, it really opens the race up.

Such is the race, that a case could be made for most of the runners. SUNDANCER RAINBOW (10) will love the soft trip and can be dangerous if there’s any daylight late. Happy to have something on her also.

Tips: 2-3-10-9

HOTFOOT IT NZ (2) each way

SUNDANCER RAINBOW (10) each way

 

Around The Tracks

Tamworth

Race 5

The class runners all come off the back row in this year’s Tamworth City Cup (2360m) and the runner that grabs my attention is the Geoffrey Harding-trained CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (10). The six-year-old gelding was a Menangle winner four starts back in 1:50.7. He was a brave third in the Maitland Cup (2422m) when punching the breeze, hitting the lead down the back, and getting run down late in the straight to run third. His fourth behind Rakero Rocket in 1:47.3 last start was excellent.

HELLUVA NZ (11) was third behind Swayzee last start over 2300m and brings strong form into the race. He is the race favourite and can run a big race despite the bad draw.

OOGA CHAKA (8) is a lower-assessed runner than his key rivals but has been racing well in NR up to 80 grade. Probably wants to snag at the start as following the roughie BETTORS MOON (1) is not desirable in this field. I BREAK THE LINE (9) looks next best but can mix form – he won the Golden Guitar Final in 2024 and would love to add the Cup beside his name.

Tips: 10-11-8-9

CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (10) to win

 

Race 6

The Group 3 Golden Guitar Final (1980m) should be highly competitive following the barrier draw. EXCLUSIVE HUSTLER (11) was a monster run in defeat in the third heat of the series won by CANADIAN LASS NZ (3). The Jack Butler-trained four-year-old entire spent most of the race three-wide and then in the breeze late, beaten a neck in 1:56.5. With a better run throughout, Exclusive Hustler should go close and looks a good price around the $5 mark.

LOVE LOU (9) will be hoping there is some heat in the race and that may be provided by LOYAL LOU NZ (6) from the outside gate. DEEBO (1) is a stablemate to Exclusive Hustler and looms as a key chance too – driver Jye Coney is opting for Exclusive Hustler rather than Deebo.

Tips: 11-9-1-6

EXCLUSIVE HUSTLER (11) to win

 

Busselton

Race 4

The Busselton Cup (2680m) looks like a good battle between the 20m handicap duo of Matthew Scott runners MYDADTHETERROR NZ (2) and LUKES MISTAKE (3) taking on the 50m backmarkers in DAWSON NZ (8) and IM THE BEST NZ (9).

LUKES MISTAKE (3) has been terrific lately, winning two of his last three starts, including a Pinjarra stand race off 20m when thrashing rivals by 9.1m. He met a stronger field last start and will relish this a lot more. Should lead or trail his stablemate.

Tips: 3-2-9-8

LUKES MISTAKE (3) to win

 

Summary

Best Bet: Race 4 – MY WATCHLIST NZ (5)

Next Best: Race 8 – DOURADO (1)

Best Value: Race 6 – LENORA JANE (1)

Best Roughie: Race 9 – HOTFOOT IT NZ (2)

 

For complete Gloucester Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink