Trent’s Tips – Saturday Harness Racing Best Bets 7th February

Kilmore Pacing Cup Night features the clash between Australia’s champion pacer Leap To Fame and New Zealand Horse of the Year Republican Party.

The Group 1 Kilmore Pacing Cup is the highlight for the Saturday harness racing action as Leap To Fame, fresh off a career-best victory in the Cranbourne Gold Cup, tackles New Zealand visitor Republican Party. Both horses were placed in the Hunter Cup behind Swayzee in 2025.

Supporting the pacers will be the Group 2 Kilmore Trotters Cup featuring Jilliby Ballerini. The likes of Im Bobby, Rockinwithattitude and Arcee Phoenix will be glad to avoid Keayang Zahara, but the powerful Lee stable have a strong second-in-command with Jilliby Ballerini.

The Listed Popular Alm Sprint looks a great race with Smoken Ace, Mach Dan and Catch A Wave competing, while the Reg Withers 3YO Classic showcases Emma Stewart’s duo with Knight Fury Dan and Signature Look.

Looking at Menangle, the clash between Don Hugo and Hi Manameisjeff in the Listed JE Binskin FFA should be terrific viewing.

Albion Park will see the return of their star trotter Gus off 40m in the Listed Trotters Marathon.

 

Saturday Harness Racing – Best Bets February 7

 

Kilmore

Race 5

Marg and Paddy Lee prepare yet another dominant trotter in the form of JILLIBY BALLERINI (1) who can show early gate speed to hold up from the inside draw in the Kilmore Trotters Cup (2180m). Her last three wins since coming back from a disappointing New Zealand trip have been top-notch. In two of those, she didn’t lead, and when she did, it was a 14.2m crushing victory over ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6). She clearly looks the horse to beat and the odds reflect that, being a $1.45 favourite.

JILLIBY DREAMLOVER (3) has a winning sequence of five and it likely comes to an end behind her more seasoned stablemate, but the Lee barn will be keen to see what this four-year-old mare can do in the next six to 12 months. They are likely running for minor place money in this, with IM BOBBY (4), ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6) and ARCEE PHOENIX (7) in the mix.

Selections: 1-4-3-7

Exacta: 1 / 3,4

Trifecta: 1 / 3,4 / 3,4,6,7

 

Race 6

The Kilmore Pacing Cup (2180m) is worth $150,000 in prizemoney and the short-priced favourite is the Grant Dixon-trained LEAP TO FAME (8) who recorded his 63rd win from just 81 starts. He has a strong case as Australasia’s greatest pacer of all time. Dixon will be straight off the pegs as the lone runner on the back row and applying pressure to the leader, who will most likely be New Zealand visitor REPUBLICAN PARTY NZ (2) for the Dalgety’s.

REPUBLICAN PARTY NZ (2) has won his past three starts at home, including the Group 1 Invercargill Cup (2700m) and Group 1 Auckland Trotting Cup (3200m). He just held off Akuta who flew home in the latter, and no disrespect to him, but he isn’t LEAP TO FAME (8). The pair will likely finish one-two, and the Aussie champion can win again.

There isn’t much between the Emma Stewart trio of OLIVER DAN (3), MIKI TO SUCCESS (4) or WAR DAN BUDDY (5), while JILLIBY NITRO (6) is the other place hope with some luck from the wide draw.

Selections: 8-2-3-4

OLIVER DAN (3) to place

Trifecta: 8 / 2 / 3,4,5

 

Race 7

The Popular Alm Sprint (1690m) has good gate speed out wider with SMOKEN ACE NZ (6) and MACH DAN (7) likely to go forward early. James Herbertson will have a choice with SMOKEN ACE NZ (6) who can lead or take a trail behind MACH DAN (7). Any early speed burn will benefit class runner CATCH A WAVE (8) who will try and wind back the clock.

The market suggests a race in three and that looks spot on. With SMOKEN ACE NZ (6) suited at the sprint distance, winning three of his last five races, and racing on the pegs, that’s where I will be leaning in this race. One of the three horses mentioned should win and it’s likely just a matter of how the race is run. I give a small blowout hope to LOUIE LOU I NZ (5) if he runs the gate, finds the pegs and hands straight over.

Selections: 6-7-8-5

SMOKEN ACE NZ (6) to win

 

Race 8

The Vin Knight Memorial Pace Final (2180m) will see last-start winner GHOST OF TIME (5) looking to burn over and lead from MAJOR ART NZ (1). That happened last time with GHOST OF TIME (5) winning by 2.7m over MAJOR ART NZ (1) and that could be the same result again, although I don’t mind one at double figures.

ATA RANGI (2) finished third behind the two horses mentioned above and really hit the line strongly. Will either have to settle for a position in the moving line, hopefully not in the breeze, or could go four back on the fence which hurts his chances of being a winning chance. Happy to be with him each-way. TWISTING BY NZ (8) will likely be three back on the fence and has strong place claims.

Selections: 5-1-2-8

ATA RANGI (2) each way

Trifecta: 5 / 1,2,8 / 1,2,8

 

Race 9

The Reg Withers 3YO Classic features two good colts from the Emma Stewart stable with the unbeaten SIGNATURE LOOK (7) taking on KNIGHT FURY DAN (2). They met at Ballarat in the 3YO Classic (2200m) where SIGNATURE LOOK (7) led throughout to win by 3.1m over KNIGHT FURY DAN (2) who raced outside him. With the chance to potentially race behind him, then KNIGHT FURY DAN (2) may be able to turn the tables.

CO CAPTAIN (1) and MISTER AMERICANO (3) are talented three-year-olds that will most likely fight for a place.

Selections: 2-7-1-3

KNIGHT FURY DAN (2) to win

 

Menangle

Race 4

The Waratah Final has already had two scratchings which sees both emergencies gain a start. This is a wide-open contest where a case can be made for a large number of the runners.

SPUNKYS GOTSECRETS (5) was a Newcastle winner two starts back in 1:52.3 when leading and winning by a large margin. He then was forced to work three-wide without cover and making a move to the breeze in the latter stages where he got tired late. If he can show his gate speed to find the fence or a position close to it, then he can run a big mile.

BORROWED TIME (7) is a last start winner for Nathan and Jett Turnbull. Looks a huge threat in this as he will be going forward early. SWEET ROCKY (12) is racing well, as is JAKOB (3) and potential knockout chance KING BOBBIE (4). Will suggest a bet on KING BOBBIE (4) too as this horse could be huge odds.

Selections: 5-7-12-4

SPUNKYS GOTSECRETS (5) to win

KING BOBBIE (4) to win

 

Race 5

The JE Binskin FFA (1609m) features two massive names in the form of DON HUGO (2) and HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (11). The barrier advantage has fallen with Luke McCarthy’s DON HUGO (2), a winner of The Eureka, Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and Blacks A Fake winner. McCarthy has options from the draw, whether that means leading or handing up to HI MANAMEISJEFF NZ (11) and looking to run him down. Either way, one of the pair should win, with the most likely being McCarthy’s superstar.

Looks wide open outside of that for placegetters and I won’t try and find the best chance to run third.

Selections: 2-11-5-7

Exacta: 2 / 11

 

Albion Park

Race 4

The Trotters Marathon (3157m) sees the return of GUS NZ (9) for Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen. The seven-year-old gelding conquered Addington in November, winning the Dominion Trot (3200m). Two trials in late January will have him ready for his first-up race. The query is fitness at his first run back over the long distance. From the 40m handicap, he should be given time to get away and settle at the tail of the field. The smaller field of nine compared to a capacity field works in his favour and he looks hard to beat.

NOT AS PROMISED (5) comes off the 20m handicap with two runs under the belt this prep – the latest was a second behind Ajay Volstead. Nathan Dawson will be trying to keep a margin on GUS NZ (9) to try and topple him. Other winning hopes go to GOLDEN SUNSET (7) and HIDE AND SEEK (8).

Selections: 9-5-8-7

GUS NZ (9) to win

 

Race 5

The open class pacers contest a 1660m event and early speed can be shown from JIMARTEE (2) and IM THE FALCON NZ (3). Any quick first section will benefit TIMS A TROOPER (7) who will pounce late.

Going to throw out HECTOR NZ (1) as my selection on the basis that gates two and three might both have ambitions of leading – hoping Nathan Dawson can hold the leader’s back and not be three back on the fence. He hasn’t been too far away lately and with Dawson back in the cart, he has upset claims in the race.

Selections: 1-7-2-3

HECTOR NZ (1) each way

 

Race 6

Two rounds of the Jim McNeil Trotting Championship have concluded, and the $27,186 final is set to be run. ALDEBARANSTILINSKI (14) was brilliant in both heats, winning by 8.6m and 6.7m. Angus Garrard drove the Mitchell Dawson-trained trotter in both events, but now Nathan Dawson picks up the drive with Garrard at Menangle instead. If he runs like both heat wins, he will be extremely hard to beat.

SASSY GALLEON (10) was runner up behind ALDEBARANSTILINSKI (14) in round one and then won his second-round heat by 11.7m when not racing against that horse. Both trotters look to have a stranglehold on the final. LOOK FOR TASCOTT (1) has strong place claims in the race.

Selections: 14-10-1-8

ALDEBARANSTILINSKI (14) to win

 

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by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink