The Shark makes his way to Harness HQ, Addington Raceway for their first race meeting of 2020. Big even fields are the order of the night and he tries to sort them out.
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Race 1
13 Bonny’s Gem: Quite a big run after an early gallop last time out. Amateur with a good strike rate jumps in the cart so has to be considered on an each way basis.
10 The Governor: Form on the board, particularly in these types of races. Might just need a little bit of luck from the inside of the second row, but certainly good enough.
8 Highland Reign: More upside than most, but might need to get onto the speed and be handy to be considered a winning hope tonight.
9 Nui Ba Den: Newcomer to the House barn after a good win last time out. Respect the stable in these races, even from the really wide draw.
Selections: 13-10-8-9
Race 2
7 Tailored Elegance: All Stars runner first up with some good trial form and the money’s come and so it should. Perhaps not quite the lay down misere many think though. Cautious.
5 Clyde: Can’t fault the form and doing everything right at the moment. Has to be a strong each way chance from the handy enough draw. Have a crack.
1 Another Chapter: Driven quite at Timaru but really hit the line strongly. Could lead them up here and good enough to keep them honest throughout if she does.
3 In Sequence: Spotted putting in some good work last in the piece last time out. Blair Orange in the bike, so needs to be given a strong chance in this line up.
Selections: 7-5-1-3
Race 3
3 Mossdale Art: Smart mare who was too good form last time out. Gate speed and a high cruising speed could make her hard to catch tonight if she’s able to find the top.
1 Maharani: Decision time. Try and lead, or hand up to the first contender who comes looking and hopefully sit in the trail. The latter looks the best option of success.
13 Miss Graceful: Smart filly who is going to win plenty of races. Wide, second row draw makes her less noticed here but you can’t afford to leave here out of the mix.
11 Diego: Goes well here and does have good speed off the back of a quiet run. Going to get one here so has to be given a chance of sneaking into the action late.
Selections: 3-1-13-11
Race 4
2 Chubby Checker: Liked the way he hit the line in the recent trial when beaten by Picture Me. Better draw than it here so giving him a big chance of getting a win on the board fresh up.
12 Picture Me: All Stars first starter with some good trial form. Respect the stable for sure but will have to be good from the second row.
14 Jaffa Josh: Clearly very talented but still a bit to learn. Best version would give this a pretty good shake and look out if it shows up tonight and he does everything right.
7 Jimmy Arma: Going to be a lot better for the trip up to Nelson. Sure, things didn’t go the way they might have liked but good experience and can get a slice of this.
Selections: 2-12-14-7
Race 5
10 Wild Excuse: Showed she’s more than capable of beating most of these with her efforts during Cup Week. Draw might not actually work out that bad. Dangerous with a cold shot at them.
4 Nemera Franco: Best is excellent and she brought that forward last time out. No reason why she couldn’t win once again.
8 Bettor’s Heart: Demo job last time out at Alexandra Park and is a mare who holds her best form when she brings it out. Can get forward and play a big role here.
11 Sociable: Better for the fresh up run last time out and best version is very smart. Can stalk the speed and then look to unleash on them all late.
Selections: 10-4-8-11
Race 6
8 Mongolian Cavalry: Pound for pound he’s as good as anything in this and Ashburton Cup run was very good. Repeat of that has him right in the mix here and hard to beat.
2 Taxman: Found the front on the second day at Nelson and nearly ran them off their feet. Similar tactics here? Straight’s not quite as long so might be really hard to peg back.
6 Eureka: Big effort late last time out and best version is pretty smart. If that should up tonight then they’ll know because it’ll be tough to stop him from getting a big slice.
9 Bettathanfast: In good nick and racing really well. Mobile conditions on this track seems to really suit so has to be given a good opportunity of winning this.
Selections: 8-2-6-9
Race 7
8 Pres The Belle: Went into beast mode last time out and was too good form them. A repeat of that effort tonight makes her the one they all have to beat again.
4 Kings Landing: Nice type back from a spell and good Rangiora trial. Could roll to the front and look to run them off their feet here.
9 Great Things Happen: Big run only to be collared late at Nelson on the second day. Tricky draw, but should be nearing peak fitness and best is pretty smart.
2 Didjabringthebeers: Talented but looking for a bit of confidence building. Can give it a good shake if he can get onto the speed and keep them honest.
Selections: 8-4-9-2
Race 8
1 Mamma Knows Best: Took on some smart types last season and performed well at times. Fresh up tonight. Good trial win and good draw. Hard to catch.
5 Syzbka Lane: Nice effort considered the spot he was in turning for home last time out. Better than most of these. Has to be given an each way hope.
12 Dianne Lorena: Caught the eye with a good effort to finish sixth last time out for the new barn. Orange jumps in the bike. That gets the attention.
3 Kansas City Jim: Form is really good and a little unlucky last time out when second. Might be better on the grass but can play a role late if the gaps come.
Selections: 1-5-12-3
Race 9
5 Aladdin Sane: Best is good. Really good. Freshened since Omakau effort but repeat of Ashburton and they might be chasing place money only.
8 One Apollo: Smashing effort last time out. We know how good he is and if he keeps this up he’ll be mixing it with the big guns before we know it.
3 One Over Da Son: Take a lead from the choice of Blair Orange here. He chooses this one and there’ll be a reason for it. Good win last time out. Right in it.
7 Majestic Chevron: Manners an issue last time out but very good prior. Gives the McGrath stable a really strong chance with a clean performance.
Selections: 5-8-3-7
Race 10
8 Cloud Nine: Keeps producing big efforts and meets another even field tonight so with the right man in the bike should be given every opportunity and can win it.
5 Burlington: Smart win at Washdyke when finding the front. Best is very, very good so has to be given a good chance of doubling up here.
10 Folklore: High speed horse who when given the opportunity to unleash late has real high speed. Might get a sweet trip here and can win it with a bit of luck.
9 Kiss The Girls: Impressive win from the trail at Timaru. Has a future in front of him. This draw doesn’t help much, but can run on stronger than most.
Selections: 8-5-10-9
BEST: 2 Chubby Checker (Race 4)
NEXT: 1 Mamma Knows Best (Race 8)
VALUE: 10 Wild Excuse (Race 5)
