Aussies draw well for Alexandra Park’s big night

Finally the Australian pacers get harness racing draws they can work with at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

While Just Believe (Orlando Vici) has dominated the major trots over the last month from handy enough draws (not that he needed them) the Australian pacing team of Speak The Truth (Bettor’s Delight) and Better Eclipse (Betterthancheddar) haven’t been able to buy a draw in either the Race by Grins or the Taylor Mile last Friday.

But that changes in the $110,000 Dawson Harford Messenger Pace this Friday when Speak The Truth gets barrier 1 over 2700m and Better Eclipse will start from barrier 6.

Aiding them even more of the fact at least one of the two Kiwi big names Don’t Stop Dreaming has a second line draw but Merlin has barrier 3 and last Friday’s 155-1 winner Mach Shard starts from barrier 5.

That at least gives Speak The Truth’s driver Adam Sanderson the option of staying in front should he lead and he did just that in the Miracle Mile in March so he is the tactical key to the race.

The big Queenslander has had little luck at the autumn carnival so far but with a roughie in American Me drawn behind him, Sanderson looks likely to roll the dice if he can hold the front.

While the Messenger may look different for the Aussies the feature trot, the $110,000 Peter Breckon Memorial National, could well end the same way as the TAB Trot and Lyell Creek Stakes as Just Believe has drawn barrier 4, which is most importantly inside Muscle Mountain in barrier 5.

Oscar Bonavena has the ace draw and looks set to trail Just Believe again if the Victorian superstar can hold Muscle Mountain at the start.

On an incredibly deep night of racing Northern Oaks heroine All You Need Is Me returns with the ace draw in a Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes heat while Princess Sadie (4) and Empire City (8) clash in the What The Hill at Woodlands Stud Northern Trotting Oaks.

The $110,000 Breckon Farms Young Gun Final has had some spice added with unbeaten filly Youretheonethatiwant taking one the boys in what is a rarity in New Zealand Group 1 juvenile racing.

If she can beat Demon Blue and Cyclone Jordy she would add to a remarkable record for her connections as trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have won the last three Young Guns Finals, all with pacers owned by Youretheonethatiwant’s owner Dean Shannon.

Purdon, with Phelan in partnership for some of it, will be looking to train his sixth winner of the race in 12 years.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand