Harness Analyst – Marlborough 19th 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 Marlborough again today with twelve races on the card. The racing starts at 2:03pm and we highlight some specials and value runners we think can give you a run for your money on a good day of racing.

Marlborough selections 19^th January 2024

Best Bet:  R11   More Gooda

Best Value:  R4 Apatchofgold

Race 1

Diedre Franco (2) Ok on grass over Christmas. Freshened for this and has to be included
Bevron (1) Normally thereabouts and getting fitter. Top three chance from the draw
The Chase (3) Manners the key and a chance if he does things right early. Include

Race 2

My Sweet Bella Rose (10) Good grass form for this. Freshened and top selection
Twista (15) First start on grass and tricky draw. Looks the one on paper but risky
Carrera Kahu (4) Running on well last start. Drawn ok and could surprise.

Race 3

Chal Vee Power (1) Getting better with racing and looks hard to beat here. Needed
Memories N Heaven (9) Hasn’t had all the luck. Could surprise with a good run in transit
Arden’s Pursuit (5) Might try to head forward early. Winning claims with a soft lead

Race 4

Apatchofgold (4) No form but keeps being unlucky. Can win with the right trip
White Star Orlando (9) Has been a bit unlucky in his races. Pegs draw suits here
Philadelphia Filly (3) Disappointing last start but good beginner. Has to be respected

.

Race 5

MM Sunshine (1) Drawn well and conditions suit. Can go close with manners
Ali Lindenny (3) Good beginner who is getting back into form. Good place chance
Our Pegasus Pearl (9) Runing on in his recent races. Chance if he gets closer to the leaders

Race 6

Amelia Rose (10) Improver for this after big win last start. One of the better chances
On Report (11) Good finisher if they go hard during the running and conditions suit. Needed
Razors Edge (2) Freshened for this and has good course stats. At his best would threaten

Race 7

He’s A Jackalack (4) Stand specialist who should be the early leader. Can hold for a place
Style Council (2) Might get a good run handy and should give a good account if he does
Piece Of Gold (6) Normally a good beginner who should get a trailing run. Could surprise

Race 8

Idle Stuartia (3) Nice draw for this and can run a good race again. Top selection
Zsa Zoe (4) Racing well and looks a place hope with her course stats. Needed
Cormoran Strike (6) In form and good enough to figure here. One of the main chances

Race 9

Dennis Denuto (6) Likely early leader in this who could be a chance with one run at them
To Ri Ruby (4) Disappointing last start but had excuses. Improvement is likely here
Acento (1) Drawn to get the run she likes. Top three chance with a trail in the race

Race 10

Dashing Major (9) Goes well on the course and should give a good account here
Double Time (3) Conditions suit and tidy last start. Winning chance in this field
Mossdale Ben (10) Handicap hurts but has the ability to go close if he gets handy

Race 11

More Gooda (1) Track will suit and should trail the stablemate. Can go close here
Social Distancing (2) Good recent form and conditions suit. Will stick on ok here
Big Mama Morris (9) Will get a soft fence run here. Can run top three with luck

Race 12

Son Of Patrick (10) Has been unlucky and at his best would be a big chance. Include
Notasbadasilook (12) Better than the form suggests. Will need luck but has claims
Ginas Majesty (2) Good on grass at Westport. Not the worst in this at longer odds

by Harness Analyst

Marlborough circuit notes of interest:

Last year the meeting saw a number of stables prosper.

On the first day of the circuit The Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson stable, along with those runners from the Mark Jones stable, were the ones to beat. Brian Beatt, Zsa Zoe, and What’s Wanted made it three wins on the card for those wearing burgundy while Cougar Express scored well for the Jones stable with Songbird, Sioux Princess and Poetry In Motion also featuring in the results. The Cup Prelude was won by Dashing Major over Sam’s Town. The Ben Waldron, Greg and Nina Hope and Brad Mowbray stables all took home a win alongside a strong showing from the Tim Trathen runners – the trainer of the impressive Nelson winner in Ooga Chaka.

6 of the 11 races on the card were won by tote favourites while nine of the most favoured on the tote managed a top three finish. That didn’t mean outsiders couldn’t upset – indeed Brian Beatt paid 31/1, Amarla greeted the judge at 46/1, and Glover placed at around $8 for a top three finish.

The second day of the circuit proved a little more dynamic in nature with only a solitary favoured runner getting home. Of the first day form Zsa Zoe and Song Bird pressed on to win their respective events, Sam’s Town proved too strong for stablemate Dashing Major in the Marlborough Cup, turning the result of the Prelude on its head, while Sods Law rounded off the action with a big win at big odds in the last of the day.

Recent winners of the Marlborough Cup.

2015 – Backup – Mark Purdon Natalie Rasmussen

2016 – Graduate Under Fire – Robert Dunn

2017 – Hopeful Harriet – Regan Todd

2018 – Love To Dream – Robert Dunn

2019 – Clasina Maria – Paul Young

2020 – Stars Tonight – Robert Dunn

2021 – Kruizr – Michael House

2022 – Dashing Major – Robert & Jenna Dunn

2023 – Sam’s Town – Robert & Jenna Dunn