Harness Analyst – Ashburton 17th January

Welcome to today’s segment from our harness racing analyst.

Providing you with free expert tips and selections for harness meetings run in New Zealand.

Harness racing hits Ashburton again today with eleven races on the card. The racing starts at 1:02pm and we highlight some specials and value runners we think can give you a run for your money on a good day of racing.

Ashburton selections 17th January 2023

Best Bet:  R6   Theresa Love

Best Value:  R7    Majestic Rollon

Race 1

Cappaha (3) Has speed and shorter distance will help. Can get some money with no errors early
A Hill Two Menny (2) Better last start and looks hardest to beat in this lineup. Needed
Matthew Eyre (5) Has the motor but lacking manners. Mobile an assist and could place at odds

Race 2

Beaudiene Quick Step (10) Raced well against stronger opposition last start. Hard to beat again
Quicksmart (4) Good at trials and field not strong. Can run top three here with a good run in transit
Ambleside Drive (5) Getting fitter and a bit unlucky last start.  One fo the better chances in this

Race 3

Woodlea Jewel (5) Quick off the gate and trialed well recently. Could be hard to run down
Commander Ben (6) Been racing better fields and has been unlucky on several occasions. Include
Flyaway (3) Good run last start and will be an improver. Can surprise with the right run in transit

Race 4

Aiguille (12) Has been galloping but better placed here. Capable of beating this field on his day
Rachmaninov (5) Going great races and will go forward here. Should go close to a placing
Navara (6) Tricky draw but racing ok. Big track will suit his style of racing and winning claims

Race 5

Taxman (8) Gate speed and the likely leader in this field from the wider draw. Needed
Better Fly (9) Might start favourite from the wide draw. Will need luck but has winning claims
Franco Stefan (11) Has been disappointing but races ok in a fresh state. One for longer odds

Race 6

Theresa Love (7) This looks a weaker field than last start and hardly ever out of the money. Include
Hey Tonight (8) Tricky draw but she will be running on late. Can get into the placings with luck
Times Are A Changin (5) Will need a soft run but no the worst in this field at longer odds.

Race 7

Majestic Rollon (9) Racing well in the last few starts and big track suits. One of the major players
Sunny Louis (5) Has run some good races against stronger fields. Winning claims at short odds
Test The Boundaries (7) Races well on the track and has a big finish. Can go close to top three here

Race 8

Bellissimo Acquisto (1) Normally steps well and looks over the odds. Can run a cheeky race
Kingsdown Atom (3) Has not had a lot of luck recently and well placed from the draw. Include
Hidden Desire (2) Had a hard run last start and conditions suit. One paced but has claims in this

Race 9

A Bettor You (9) Tricky draw but can run a quick mile rate here if she gets a cart into the race
Coachella (5) Has gate speed and could be the early leader. Strong field but has winning claims
Classy Dancer (11) Drawn for a run through early and better than the form reads. Could surprise

Race 10

Lookslikeatrixter (6) Won well last start and similar strength field. Can go close here with no mistakes
Vertigo (13) Needs to step but racing well and should go on with it now. One of the better chances
Instant Delight (9) Will need to trot all the way but big motor. Can run a decent race with no errors

Race 11

Chambray (1) Big swing in draws and looks hard to beat against this field. Top selection in this
Bryce’s Meddle (6) Good win last start but up in grade. Could still get money here with luck
Radioactive Jaffa (12) Much better last start. Not sure the shorter trip suits but has winning claims

by Harness Analyst