Trent’s Tips – Saturday Best Bets 20th December

Harness racing will be run at six venues on Saturday night with Albion Park, Melton and Menangle hosting their regular metropolitan meetings.

Globe Derby in South Australia will stage finals of the Southern Cross series as part of a massive 11-race program.

Here are our Saturday best bets for harness racing across the country.

Saturday Best Bets – December 20

Albion Park

Race 4

ARODA NZ (8) tackles the fast class race for the night and will be relying on some luck after drawing the inside of the back line behind SEND IT (1). Would have preferred to have seen the Grant Dixon-trained five-year-old entire draw behind MYDADSAID (2) who has strong claims in the race. Aroda was used off the gate in the Group 1 Blakes A Fake (2680m) before grabbing hold and racing 1 out 2 back. He finished a respectable eighth in the race and can be dangerous if any clear running eventuates.

MYDADSAID (2) won the Group 3 The C J (2280m) at Redcliffe two starts ago defeating CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (7) before his seventh placing in the Blacks A Fake. If he can find the fence, then his chances are greatly enhanced and will take some beating.

FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (3) had been racing well prior to a stand start event where he was poor. Completely forgive that and back to a mobile looks suitable. Another key contender just like Captain Hammerhead and ROCKET CITY (9).

Tips: 8-2-3-9

ARODA NZ (8) each way

Melton

Race 1

BULLETPROOF BOY (12) will have his second attempt at career win 50 when he competes in the FFA at Melton. He was forced to do too much work last week in 1:50.5 as he fought gamely for fourth behind Petracca who was simply phenomenal. Looks easier this week and if he doesn’t have to do the work in lightning-fast time, Bulletproof Boy should prove hard to beat.

MACH DAN (11) comes out of the same race where he finished eighth after racing at the back of the field. If he ends up too far behind Bulletproof Boy then he may struggle, but if he can make the first move, then could get some 1 out 1 back cover and test the favourite.

ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (8) is first up since August – her form last preparation was strong with a victory at Menangle and then a pair of seconds behind Illavabubbles and War Dan Buddy. Trailing EARL OF PEMBROKE NZ (1) in this grade is not ideal, and she may need the run. She is a horse to follow this preparation.

YOUNG BLUEY (3) and RAKAJED NZ (9) look next best in the race.

Tips: 12-11-8-3

BULLETPROOF BOY (12) to win

Race 2

A difficult race with plenty of winning hopes and I am keen on not one, but two roughies in the race which is for NR up to 75 horses.

TIZZY LIZZIE (9) does the bulk of her racing at Wagga for trainer Peter Romero and driver Harry O’Neill. She ventures south to tackle this race after breezing in 1:51.5, 55.8, which is incredible time for an NR 66 mare. Not entirely sure where she will map from barrier nine, but hopefully somewhere in the moving line. With the sectionals that she can carve out, she looks a good each-way prospect.

NORMS LADY (8) has the services of up-and-coming driver Ryan Sanderson who has notched 100+ career winners in his last four seasons. He could break the 150-mark next season and will need plenty of luck here from the awkward draw behind one of the outsiders in ASMILEANDAWINX (1). Her Wagga runs have been good and four starts back, she was third behind THE BRIDE (12) at this track in 1:52.4. Another at good odds each way.

THE BRIDE (12) returns to Alex Ashwood after a brief venture to Tasmania where the three-year-old filly was with Alex’s father Rodney – she was runner up in the Bandbox (2200m) and her class will take her a long way in this race. One of the big fancies.

Plenty of other winning hopes too as UBETTA KNOT (5), JOYRIDE (10), JAZZY MELEA (11) and EMILY VINCENT (13) deserve respect.

Tips: 9-12-8-10

TIZZY LIZZIE (9) each way

NORMS LADY (8) each way

Menangle

Race 5

HES A MEISTER NZ (9) captured the second heat of the Xmas Gift and will be hoping there is plenty of speed in the first quarter in order to sit back and try and run them down late. This is a competitive race, and the market suggests that also with all runners between $3.80 and $18. At around the $9 mark, Hes A Meister appeals on an each-way basis for trainer Stephanie Morris and driver Chris Geary.

CASH AND BLING (3) put a space on rivals in the fifth heat of the Xmas Gift, drawing away to win by 7.8m in 1:51.7, 54.9. Will be looking for some midfield cover in order to do the same once again.

THALASSOPHOBIA (12) draws the outside barrier, although that may be a blessing if there is a ton of early speed. He was a strong finisher in the heat behind Hes A Meister and is racing well enough to turn the tables if he has a better run in the final.

Can make a case for most runners here and this $30,600 feature race should be a great spectacle.

Tips: 9-3-12-1

HES A MEISTER NZ (9) each way

Race 6

DON HUGO (10) looks to have the Ultra Air Cup at his mercy for trainer-driver Luke McCarthy. Fresh off Group 1 success in the Blacks A Fake (2680m) over Leap To Fame at Albion Park, Don Hugo is a short-priced favourite as he returns to Menangle seeking his 14th win at the track. This is a huge class drop on the Blacks A Fake run and he should be winning.

RAKERO ROCKET NZ (9) adds some intrigue to the race for trainer Jason Grimson as he makes his Australian debut. A nine-time winner from 29 career starts, Rakero Rocket was last seen finishing down the track in the Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) won by Kingman.

UBETCHA TIGERPIE (11), UNFAZED NZ (5) and PERFECT STRIDE NZ (6) look next best in a race where they are racing for a minor place.

Tips: 10-9-11-5

Trifecta: 10 / 9 / 5,6,11

Other Saturday Highlights

At Globe Derby, the Southern Cross Series Finals will be staged and Race 4 for the 3YO Pacing Fillies looks a match race between the Peter Bain-trained ALOHA PRINCESS (5) and Emma Stewart-trained BRIGHTON (7). The barrier draw makes it intriguing now and both fillies paced good time in their respective heats.

The Victorians will have very strong claims in Race 5 for the 3YO Pacing Colts & Geldings as the Shaun and Jason McNaulty-trained ZENARIO (3) is likely to prove too classy for rivals after drawing barrier three.

Following that, local trainer Alan Cronin should have a stranglehold on Race 6 for the 2YO Pacing Colts & Geldings with HEZ SO ROYAL (5) extremely hard to beat, and then Emma Stewart should capture Race 7 with HILLTOP BLOSSOM (1) in the 2YO Pacing Fillies division.

For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink