Trent’s Tips – Saturday Best Bets 10th January

Harness racing heats up on Saturday night with Bendigo (now being run at Melton) taking centre stage as the Bendigo Pacing Cup and Maori Mile boast some of the sport’s biggest names.

The Group 2 Bendigo Pacing Cup will be run over 1720m this year and features New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Kingman, Sunshine Sprint winner Hi Manameisjeff, and up-and-comer Petracca.

Turning our attention to the trotters and we see superstar Keayang Zahara contest the Group 1 Maori Mile against Ollivici, Arcee Phoenix and Im Bobby.

Jilliby Ballerini is all the rage in the Group 3 Bendigo Trotters Cup, while at Menangle it will be Captains Knock competing against Rakero Rocket. Plus, don’t forget the Temora Pacers Cup which will be run over 2386m.

Here are our best bets for Saturday night’s pacing and trotting action.

Saturday Best Bets – Harness Racing on January 10

Albany

Race 2

SPEED FORCE (1) comes up with the inside draw and that looks perfect as he should lead and go close. Two starts ago, Speed Force was second behind Sanford Bart. Last start, he couldn’t get across the winner Funky Music and just wilted late after being three-wide late. With the pegs run and Abbey Vidovich driving, the Terry Dymock-trained seven-year-old gelding should prove hardest to beat.

DEE JAYS BIG BOY (7) will get a nice trial throughout, and he will appreciate that more than last time when facing the breeze in the Speed Force race. Expect him to be dangerous late.

THEJEWELINHEREYE (5) is the class runner of the field, having 15 victories beside her name. She may be a 12-year-old mare, but it would be a great story if she can notch another victory.

Tips: 1-7-5-2

SPEED FORCE (1) to win

Race 3

REDDY TO FLY (4) went close at Pinjarra when finishing second to Tashs Spartan. Reddy To Fly beat home HES THUNDER (9) and with the barrier draw advantage, may be able to do that once again. Trent Wheeler would love to find the lead here, and if that transpires, then the Hayden Reeves-trained gelding becomes the horse to beat.

HES THUNDER (9) is the main danger and gets Emily Suvaljko which is a nice driving change. Will probably be content facing the breeze and should run a good race.

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE (8) is next best and was a winner at the track two starts ago.

Tips: 4-9-8-3

REDDY TO FLY (4) to win

Bendigo @ Melton

Race 1

The first race is a Free For All and CALEXICO (7) has won three of his past five starts – he will have ambitions of leading again, and if he lands that spot, will take plenty of catching.

LOUIE LOU I NZ (6) can fly out when asked and with Calexico drawn outside, it may be the plan to try and zip over before taking cover on that horse. Louie Lou I won at Cranbourne last start and the last half was quick, breaking 55 seconds. Happy to be with him on at double figures.

Another horse I like here is SWEET IDEAL (5) who may need some luck because I am not sure if Darryl Lawlor will try and use gate speed early. If Sweet Ideal gets a bit of luck, don’t be surprised if he gets the job done at odds.

MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (8) and JILLIBY WILLOW (10) could also win this race and it’s the perfect entry into a big night of action.

Tips: 6-7-5-8

LOUIE LOU I NZ (6) to win

SWEET IDEAL (5) to win

Race 5

The Group 3 Bendigo Trotters Cup (2760m) should be a one-act affair with JILLIBY BALLERINI (11) going around as a short-priced favourite. The five-year-old mare will come off a 30m handicap, but she will have plenty of time to balance up and make her way into the race against inferior opposition. She was brilliant last start, winning by 14.2m at Cranbourne as she ripped home in 55.2 seconds to break the track record, setting a 1:57.8 mile rate for the 2080m.

BENNIE AND THE JETS NZ (1), GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (6), MORE WANTED (7) and PINNIE (10) are the most likely placegetters in the race.

Tips: 11-6-7-1

Trifecta: 11 / 6,7 / 1,6,7,8,10

Race 6

The barrier draw makes the Group 2 Bendigo Pacing Cup (1720m) a must-watch race and they are sure to smash the clock in this event. Expecting HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (3) to burn his way to the lead, the question will be, how quick is the opening quarter in order to obtain that position.

KINGMAN NZ (8) is one of the most exciting prospects we have seen for a long time, horses such as Lazarus and Leap To Fame are others that burst onto the scene and showed their champion qualities. Kingman has won the Victoria Cup and NZ Trotting Cup already. He starts from the inside of the back row but Luke McCarthy may get him off the pegs early. Based on his last five wins, Kingman is the testing material here.

HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (3) went 1:49.3, home in 52.4 to win the Sunshine Sprint (1660m) at Albion Park in November. If he can lead without burning too hard early, then he will give Kingman a big run for his money. Will Rixon picks up the drive.

PETRACCA (1) was breathtaking at Melton last start and has definite claims from the inside draw, while CATCH A WAVE (2) and BULLETPROOF BOY (9) are place chances in the race.

Tips: 8-3-1-9

KINGMAN NZ (8) to win

Race 7

The Group 1 Maori Mile (1720m) sees KEAYANG ZAHARA (3) as the $1.15 favourite. She has won 20 races from just 21 starts and should be winning again. She has already beaten up on the likes of OLLIVICI NZ (2) and ARCEE PHOENIX (5) a few times. Expect her to go straight to the lead and all eyes will be on the clock if Glen Craven decides to let her run along.

OLLIVICI NZ (2) is the most likely runner up as long as he doesn’t misbehave like he did last time out when galloping. As long as he doesn’t get caught in the breeze, hoping he can find the leader’s back, then happy to play him for second in exotics.

Tips: 3-2-8-5

OLLIVICI NZ (2) to place

Trifecta: 3 / 2,8 / 2,5,8

Menangle

Race 5

The FFA at Menangle features the Brad Hewitt-trained and driven CAPTAINS KNOCK (11) taking on the Jason Grimson-trained RAKERO ROCKET NZ (8) who will be driven by Cam Hart.

RAKERO ROCKET NZ (8) had his first Australian start on December 20 when finishing second, beaten 10.4m behind Don Hugo in the Ultra Air Cup (1609m). Hart will send him across to the fence and most likely will take the trail on Captains Knock. Despite the defeat, Rakero Rocket still paced a very quick mile rate and last half in 1:49.5, 53.5. With the price difference, happy to be with Rakero Rocket to get the job done.

CAPTAINS KNOCK (11) was scratched from Goulburn recently and the $1.30 price tag here looks way too skinny. His recent form is exceptional, including victories over Swayzee and Don Hugo. Can see why he is favourite but not a price to be taken.

It will be an upset if any other horse wins this race and the market shows that.

Tips: 8-11-9-10

RAKERO ROCKET NZ (8) to win

Temora

Race 5

The Temora Pacers Cup (2386m) sees a capacity field of 10 runners and it’s not an easy race to decipher. MESSERATI (7) had been racing well prior to a disappointing run at Goulburn where he didn’t seem to appreciate setting the pace. With a trailing draw, Messerati should be better suited. Four starts back he won the TAB Regional Championship Consolation at Wagga and was then placed at Menangle.

MASTER GOUDA (1) will appreciate barrier one and comes out of a fast Wagga race three starts ago despite failing to beat a runner home. He has won two from three at Temora and will be prominent here.

Lots of respect for KIMCANDO (5) despite the bad draw. TEST OF FIRE (2) gets leading Riverina driver Jackson Painting which may see some improvement. YUKON BE SERIOUS NZ (8) and JUST ROLLYOUROWN NZ (9) are also good enough, as is ALTA EQUUS (10). I have very low confidence in this event which should make it a competitive race for all.

Tips: 7-1-5-8

MESSERATI (7) to win

Update from Harness Racing Victoria, posted at 11:02am: Harness Racing Victoria advises that due to the extreme weather, fire dangers and road access conditions currently affecting Bendigo, tonight’s Bendigo race meeting has been transferred to Melton Entertainment Park.

For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink