Trent’s Tips – Saturday Best Bets 3rd January

Saturday night harness racing will be run at four venues, headlined by Leap To Fame contesting the FFA at Albion Park.

Along with Queensland’s Albion Park meeting, Victoria will see pacing and trotting action at Cranbourne, New South Wales has a meeting at Newcastle, and Albany is the venue in Western Australia.

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

Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets – January 3

Albany

Race 2

DEE JAYS BIG BOY (8) is racing well at Albany with a fourth and third beside his name. Gets the services of Stuart McDonald driving for trainer Hayden Reeves. All of his past five starts have been consistent without winning and this might be his best chance to get a victory to his name. McDonald has options from the trailing draw and happy to be on him on an each-way basis.

FUNKY MUSIC (3) is the most likely leader for Trent Wheeler and she was fourth last time after leading in a strong 1:57.9 mile rate for this grade. If they can get a softer first half in the race, Funky Music is going to take some catching.

Plenty of other hopes in the race too – this is competitive based on the barrier draw.

Tips: 8-3-4-5

DEE JAYS BIG BOY (8) each way

Race 4

REBLINE (4) is building into her campaign nicely for trainer-driver Tim Stone. She has been beaten around 7m at her last two starts and now drawing the front line could see some of her best form. Stone might use her gate speed this time around to try and lead or find a forward position. As long as she doesn’t get caught in the breeze, Rebline should go very close.

MAJOR FREEWAY (9) is racing in good form, winning two starts ago and then finishing second at his latest. The giant-sized horse prefers to lead and roll along, but that doesn’t look the scenario here. Still has each-way claims in the race from the back row.

Another competitive race where you can make a case for most of the runners.

Tips: 4-9-3-10

REBLINE (4) to win

Albion Park

Race 1

SOAP OPERA (11) has drawn poorly but this is a class drop on the recent Group 3 Forever Gold Mares (1600m) event won by NSW mare Lux Aeterna. Soap Opera finished fifth, beaten 10.5m after running personal times of 1:51.8, 53.9. Prior to that, she raced without cover and was beaten just 8m over the mile. Could be dangerous with the right run into the race at odds.

GO THE RED (3) broke through for a much-deserved win last start when breezing over the 2138m distance in 1:54.1. He defeated stablemate Gem Punter Pete who has since won a standing start event against Hot And Treacherous. That form line looks great.

This is a great way to kick off the card, and you can make a case for another handful in this race.

Tips: 11-3-7-12

SOAP OPERA (11) to win

GO THE RED (3) to win

Race 4

LEAP TO FAME (3) should make easy work of his four rivals in the open class race as he rolls to the top to dictate the affair. He won a similar race, the Christmas Cup (2680m) last start in 1:54.1, 53.2, as he ran identical 26.6 splits on the way home. Grant Dixon’s seven-year-old surpassed $5 million in stakes last time and he should just win again.

TIMS A TROOPER (4) was a winner from the death seat last start in a bunched finish and looks the most likely to run second behind his stablemate.

Tips: 3-4-5-1

Exacta: 3 / 4

Trifecta: 3 / 4 / 5

Race 6

SWEET AGENDA (5) has good gate speed and Nathan Dawson has picked up the drive. Would love to see her get across to find the front without burning too hard in the opening sectional. She has run a pair of 27-flat opening quarters recently and hasn’t been able to finish off her races. If she can find the fence, this is her chance to get back into the winner’s circle.

EYE SEE THESEASIDE (4) was a last-start winner for Grant Dixon, and the mare is very consistent – beaten just 2.5m and 1.2m in her starts prior to the victory. She can do work in her races and they will know she is in this contest.

MISS FROUFROU (2) will try and cross BROOKFIELDS BEAUTY (1) early and then may take the trail on a horse like Sweet Agenda. She brings Redcliffe form into the race and her last half and quarter sectionals at that venue suggest she can be dangerous with a trail in this line up.

Tips: 5-4-2-1

SWEET AGENDA (5) to win

Cranbourne

Race 2

HODY MOKE (6) is a lightly raced four-year-old mare for trainer-driver Rebecca Bartley and was last seen finishing second in the Vicbred Platinum Homegrown (1720m). Not entirely sure where she ends up in the run, but she is one of the class runners in the race and it shouldn’t be long before she lands her second career win.

KITTY CASH (8) is a huge danger and her last start at this track was excellent. If she runs up to that mark, she will prove hard to beat with Michael Bellman steering. Found it difficult to split them but slightly edge to Hody Moke around the $3 mark.

BETSY ANNE (3) is a stablemate to Hody Moke and Bartley has opted to drive the other trotter.

Tips: 6-8-3-4

HODY MOKE (6) to win

Race 4

JILLIBY BALLERINI (4) returns after a trip to New Zealand where she found Queensland trotter Gus to be superior in the two clashes at Addington. There is still plenty of time to get some payback for the Marg and Paddy Lee-trained five-year-old mare. She has won 11 races from 26 starts, including victories at Melton in October and the Group 3 Maryborough Trotters Cup (2690m). She belted the likes of Arcee Phoenix, Pinnie and Keayang Stuka in those events. Jilliby Ballerini looks a big chance to work her way to the lead.

ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (5) is a brilliant trotter for trainer-driver David Miles and has excellent gate speed. Should be first to the fence and being first up, Miles is likely to trail Jilliby Ballerini and then try to run her down late. Looks the Quinella in the race.

Next best is IMPERIAL MONARCH NZ (8) and EBONYS AVENGER (2).

Tips: 4-5-8-2

Trifecta: 4 / 5 / 2,8

Race 6

NAKEDTRUTH (5) has been racing against stronger company, chasing home the likes of Jilliby Dreamlover at his past two starts. He has won once and been placed a further three times at Cranbourne. The draw is not ideal, although he does possess gate speed. Needs some cover close to the speed in order to show his best late.

KEAYANG GYPSY (6) has won three of her past four starts and the only defeat in that time came from making a mistake. She can continue to work her way through the grades and gets a good opportunity here.

FREIGHT SHAKER (1) is the other key chance here and barrier one gives Chris Svanosio plenty of options. A last start winner at Melton and should run well.

Tips: 5-6-1-3

NAKEDTRUTH (5) to win

For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink