Harness Analyst – Ashburton 31st August

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 11 races on the card. The racing starts at 11:50am 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 31^st August 2025

Best Bet:  R2   Paramount Picture

Best Value:  R7   Style Council

Race 1

Jesse Owens (1) Trial winner and trained locally. Should run top three here with manners
Rockin Roman (2) Small field will help and should begin quickly. Better than the form suggests
Willy Away (6) Getting better with racing and has been unlucky. Bigger track suits. Place chance

Race 2

Paramount Picture (14) Has been freshened and has a good reputation. Has to be included in this
Something Else (13) Solid form and could be one for longer odds in this field. Seems more reliable
Starstruck (3) Improver from her last start and has had excuses. Top three chance with manners

Race 3

Peraki Lad (8) Wide draw but has trialed well. Good run expected on debut. Has to be in the mix
Woodlea Rocks (1) Ok last start and a threat to these with a good run in transit. Ace draw helps
Vin’s Deal (2) Good effort last start and nice draw. Can sneak into the top three with luck

Race 4

All Of Me (2) Solid trials and a winning chance from the draw. Stable does well with debut runners
Cath (3) Has good trial form and should give a good account fresh up. One of the better chances
Smackdown (1) Disappointing last start but an improver with a place chance from the ace draw

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Race 5

Mouton Cadet (8) Draw hurts but will be running on late here. Chance if the pace is on all the way
Almighty Clever (10) Had excuses last start and well placed here. Good each way chance in this
Wavewatcher (5) Will be fitter after last start. Gate speed and should get a soft trip. Include

Race 6

Midnight Diamond (5) Good against a similar field last start. Hard to beat with natural improvement
Clovelly Hill (1) Should get a soft run handy. Winning claims after good second last start. Include
Petite Trixton (6) Never far away from the placings. Driver change and is a better prospect here

Race 7

Style Council (6) Out of form but at his best would go close in this. Will need manners but can upset
Major Happy (4) Going for three in a row. Good chance with a soft run near the speed. Needed
Carlin (5) In good form and should get a good run near the front. Winning claims again in this

Race 8

Rakero Lightning (2) Running on well last start and better draw. Winning claims if she stays handy
Patiro (13) Decent motor and tricky draw the only concern. One of the better chances with luck in transit
Million Dollar Chic (5) Disappointing last start. Will continue to improve and place hope again here

Race 9

Ebony Arden (2) Tidy win on debut and stable respect here. Looks a good chance of going back to back
Ask Me Lazarus (6) Decent motor but wide draw for this. One for longer odds in an even field. Include
Queen Of Swords  (9) Tricky draw but has speed and has raced better fields in the past. Needed here

Race 10

Billy Kimber (10) Got a well deserved win last start and can go on with it. Draw hurts but top three hope
Aldebaran Redwood (2) Nice draw and better than most in this field. Has to be respected in this
Miss Melanie (3) Good win last start and can do some work mid race. Should give a good sight here

Race 11

Jukebox Gypsy (2) Has been unlucky and best draw for some time. Top selection in this field. Include
Zoom X (16) Freshened for this and if he can overcome the draw is a good chance. One for longer odds
Bettor Go Vinnie (14) Freshened and is better than the form reads. Not the worst and could surprise

For complete race entries, click here.

by Harness Analyst