Harness Analyst – Amberley 6th February

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 Amberley again today with twelve races on the card. The racing starts at 12:07pm and we highlight some specials and value runners we think can give you a run for your money on a good day of racing.

Amberley selections 6th February 2024

Best Bet:  R8   Vincent Vega

Best Value:  R5  Anytime At All

Race 1

Bevron (5) Normally a fast beginner from a stand. Could surprise at longer odds
Dancing Glenis (7) Improving runs in recent races. Might land a top three spot here
Solemn Son (13) Manners needed but a chance if he does things right in transit

Race 2

Louie Vista (10) Inside second row draw will suit. Chance with any gaps in the straight
Victor Lustig (1) Narrowly beaten on grass last start. Should go close to top three again
Magie Do (2) Has been good at trials. Nice draw and has winning claims in this.

Race 3

Whatablaze (5) Won his only start on grass and conditions suit here. Could surprise
Teds Legacy (2) Freshened for this and has winning trial form and good manners.
Jimmy Arma (1) Good chance from the front row draw. Likely to race handy to the speed

Race 4

Illegal Alien (2) Good beginner suited by the condition. Improver who can run top three
Ali Lindenny (5) Goes well on the track and has good manners. Should be there abouts
MM Sunshine (11) Easy win last start and a big chance here if he can find the front early

.

Race 5

Anytime At All (11) Freshened and stable in red hot form. Can run and top selection here
Kawatiri Creek (1) Has gate speed Can run top three with a good run in transit
Good Time Betty (9) Might try for the front early from wide draw. Chance if she leads

Race 6

A Dancing Rocka (4) Improver for this after easy win on debut. One of the better chances
Audacity (14) Disappointing last start but has a big motor. Will need luck but can place
Ebury Street (1) Has been unlucky in recent starts. Chance at longer odds with a trail

Race 7

Ginas Majesty (5) Nice draw and has beaten similar fields in the past. Winning claims here
Bennie And The Jets (10) Best runs have been from the front but wide draw. Improving
Rachmaninov (4) Always a chance in these conditions. Has claims with a good run in transit

Race 8

Vincent Vega (7) Wider draw for this but has gate speed and driver change. Include
Fergalicious (1) Draw will suit and should get an economical run. Can run top three
White Star Orlando (10) With any luck would go close to placing here. Will need gaps

Race 9

Kiss The Girls (2) Good course stats and getting fitter. Could be over the odds in this
Heza Sport (5) Much better last start and great from a stand. Can get into the placings
Dalton Shard (1) Draw helps but first start on grass. Top three chance with manners

Race 10

Vertigo (8) Conditions suit and should give a good account. One of the better chances
Sunny Louis (7) Disappointing last start but better than that. Nice top three chance
Royal Del (10) Getting better with racing and grass ok. Winning claims with the right trip

Race 11

Watch That Man  (6) Disappointed last start but this looks easier. Can go close here
Krystal Delight (7) Out of from but gate speed and better draw. Will stick on ok here
Sophia Bromac (12) Tricky draw but due to get into the top three again. Chance with luck

Race 12

To Ri Ruby (1) At his best would be a big chance and draw helps. Include here
Acento (3) Top driver booked and likely early leader. Can stick on for a top three
Motor Mouth (5) Good on grass and will race handy. Is a bit one paced but tough

Meeting notes:

A year ago the meeting proved all about the Robert and Jenna Dunn stable with the barn picking up 4 races on the card. So Rock Around, Secret Cocktail, Sam’s Town and I’m Your Huckleberry all proving too strong in their respective fields to bring about a strong day for the colours. John Howe also produced a brace of winners in Watch That Man, a consistent sort of late, and the trotter in Dijabringthebubbles. Race favourites proved winners for the TAB as a solitary winner came from those favoured to win on the card – 5 of those favoured to win races placed.  Upsets or outsiders scored in the form of Gina’s Majesty (12/1) and Flyaway (16/1)

The feature of the day, the Amberley Cup saw Sam’s Town victorious over the ageless Homebush Lad and Buckskin, both known grass track performers.

Course Specialists

Both Buckskin and Homebush Lad have strong course statistics, both have two wins on the grass at Rangiora while picking up numerous minor places between them also.

Previous winners of the Amberley Cup

2014  Arden Rooney – Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen

2015 Star Of Dionysis – Jim Curtin

2016 Seel The Deal – Grant McStay

2017 Seel The Deal – Greg & Nina Hope

2018 Clasina Maria – Paul Young

2019 Alta Maestro – Robert Dunn

2020 Cast No Shadow – Paul Court

2021 Gilligans Island – Graham Court

2022 Chal Patch – Ken Barron

2023 Sam’s Town – Robert & Jenna Dunn