Trent’s Tips – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 31st January

Cranbourne Gold Cup Night takes centre stage for Saturday’s harness racing best bets preview.

The Group 1 Cranbourne Gold Cup features a trio of superstars as Kingman, Leap To Fame and Swayzee collide.

In the Group 1 Cranbourne Trotters Cup, Keayang Zahara will look to add more silverware to her remarkable resume.

Supporting the two Group 1 features will be the 4YO & 5YO Championship and The Angelique which sees Captain Mistress competing against Eye Keep Smiling and Steno.

Menangle will run the Bay Johnny Trotters Handicap, Launceston boasts a competitive Devonport Cup standing start feature race, and Albion Park has a quality free for all event with four key winning chances.

Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets – January 31

Cranbourne

Race 4

The Group 3 The Angelique (2080m) could be a one-act affair if the Jason Grimson-trained CAPTAINS MISTRESS NZ (5) races like her previous two wins, both demolitions of rivals by 18m. Two starts ago she ran a 52.9 last half at Menangle and she will be leading here. Hard to see anything catching her if she’s even 90 per cent as good as her last two wins.

EYE KEEP SMILING (7) is a superstar but the outside barrier hurts her chances immensely and she may be running for second place. Both STENO (6) and SWEETNIKKILOU (2) are the other place hopes in the race – would be great if the latter could run second to boost the exotic dividend should it land.

Tips: 5-7-2-6

Trifecta: 5 / 2,6,7 / 2,6,7

Race 5

Unlike the previous race, the Group 3 4YO & 5YO Championship (2080m) looks wide open with a handful of winning prospects. FORTY LOVE (8) is absolutely flying for trainer-driver Aaron Dunn, although the inside of the back row starting draw may not be ideal. He finished a narrow second in the Group 2 Vicbred Super Series Final (2240m) three starts ago. He then won the Hamilton Pacing Cup (2660m) and finished third in the Group 2 Ballarat Pacing Cup (2710m) won by Leap To Fame. This four-year-old can peel off a very quick last half.

MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (7) won an easier race two starts ago and was terrific when second last time out at Melton. WAR DAN BUDDY (10) is a nice horse; it’s just the barrier and price ($2.50) that don’t appeal in a competitive race. Other hopes go to DEMON BLUE NZ (3) and GOLDEN TRIBE (5).

Tips: 8-7-10-5

FORTY LOVE (8) to win

Race 6

The Group 1 Cranbourne Gold Cup (2555m) is another incredible race with KINGMAN NZ (1) leading from barrier one and BULLETPROOF BOY (2) dropping in to trail. The tactics from LEAP TO FAME (4) and SWAYZEE (7) could shape the race, as it looks a great chance for Grant Dixon to opt for some cover with LEAP TO FAME (4).

KINGMAN NZ (1) broke the track record in the Group 3 Shepparton Gold Cup (2690m) when rating 1:53.7. Last start, he was hanging badly around the Ballarat circuit when fourth, so a return to the peg line will be beneficial for Luke McCarthy’s star five-year-old. He looks the hardest to beat with the barrier draw advantage.

LEAP TO FAME (4), if he opts for 1 out 1 back cover, will be hoping SWAYZEE (7) serves it up to the leader in order to pounce late. Coming wide around the final bend at Cranbourne isn’t easy with horses losing ground. BULLETPROOF BOY (2) will be hoping for pressure in order to run them down via the sprint lane.

Tips: 1-4-7-2

KINGMAN NZ (1) to win

Race 7

KEAYANG ZAHARA (4) looks to make it 23 wins from 24 starts when she contests the Group 1 Cranbourne Trotters Cup (2080m). There’s not too much to write here, Jason Lee should send the champion trotter to the front, and they should put the opposition away when the time is right. A track record 1:56.8, 54.6 at Ballarat was extremely impressive last start.

ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (2) is the logical choice for second as she can trail the favourite and being on the pegs when the sprint goes on will be important. LOVEMETO NZ (3) and IM BOBBY (5) are next best.

Tips: 4-2-5-3

Exacta: 4 / 2

Trifecta: 4 / 2 / 1,3,5

Menangle

Race 5

The Listed Bay Johnny Trotters Handicap (2300m) sees the return of the David Aiken-trained PESCO POLLO (5) who won eight of his nine starts in 2025, including four straight. He has only had the one stand run, which came last start on December 6, narrowly beaten stablemate SPEEDY LOVER (6). Both have been at the trials with PESCO POLLO (5) looking sharp, including a second behind the NR88 pacer Dom Toretto. Looks hardest to beat here from a 10m handicap.

CONSTANTINOPLE (8) is the class trotter of the field off a 20m handicap. Put the pen through last start when held up for an eternity and then once clear, he was cleaned up and galloped. He has won two from nine from behind the tapes and will run a big race. SPEEDY LOVER (6) and RAKERO BLAZE NZ (7) are the other winning hopes.

Tips: 5-8-7-6

PESCO POLLO (5) to win

Launceston

Race 7

The Listed Devonport Cup (2698m) is one of the hardest races I’ve tried to analyse and a case can be made for more than half the field. Bit of a throw at the stumps here with the Heath Woods-trained and driven STEPPING STONES (9) who was in good form against easier opposition in December. She then ran sixth in the Hobart Pacing Cup (2579m). Comes off a 10m handicap here which looks fine and if there is the right amount of luck, then she could take the win at massive odds.

MAGICIAN (11) has a bit of class on his side and is a horse that can punch out consistent sectionals in a race. Will be looking for a nice cart into the race from the 20m handicap. HORATIUS SPECULO (4) has won five straight races, comes off the front line and becomes the horse to beat if he can lead once again. This will be a good test for him. DALTON SHARD NZ (13) is a classy horse from New Zealand and brings plenty of intrigue into this race. Prefer to see his first start in Tasmania but has to be a winning chance with his past credentials despite a 30m mark.

Tips: 9-11-4-13

STEPPING STONES (9) each way

MAGICIAN (11) to win

Albion Park

Race 6

An intriguing FFA event where IM THE FALCON NZ (2) and JIMARTEE (3) could show early speed. SPEAK THE TRUTH (5) is knocking on the door and is chasing his first win since a heat of the Inter Dominion in July 2025 where he defeated Captains Knock. If he can get some cover in the run, he is going to be dangerous late.

TIMS A TROOPER (6) has won two of his past four starts and his sectionals are superb. Has strong claims again. HECTOR NZ (1) is hard to gauge at this stage, so will be interesting to see what he does in this company.

Tips: 5-6-3-2

SPEAK THE TRUTH (5) to win

Race 7

The open class trotters’ event is very competitive this week and happy to side with GET USED TO IT (3) for trainer Darren Weeks who also prepares AJAY VOLSTEAD (2). GET USED TO IT (3) loves to lead in his races and it will be interesting to see if the stablemate will be willing to hand up the front. He was forced to park in the breeze last start off 20m and was only beaten 1.4m. Meets the winner 20m better under mobile conditions.

NOT AS PROMISED (8) broke last start which was the end to his chances of victory. Prior to that first-up run, he won in an incredible 1:52.3 mile rate. If he brings that form, he simply wins. GOLDEN SUNSET (6) has won three of the past four starts and also has strong claims here. It’s a great trotting event and should be a good spectacle.

Tips: 3-8-6-2

GET USED TO IT (3) to win

For complete Saturday night harness racing fields, click here.

 by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink