The Gore Harness Racing Club has produced a comprehensive betting guide for today’s huge grass track meeting.
We have taken the study out of finding a winner by doing it for you with our analysis and suggested bets for every race.
Check it out!
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 1
A very even race to start the day with the leading contenders being handed tricky draws.
On consistency, Forty Wives deserves to rate highly, he loves grass tracks and is very genuine.
B Smart would likely have been top pick had she not copped a tough draw in barrier 15 – but she can still win.
Mamma Mia is another that has drawn well and could take some catching.
Consider The Ladybird, too.
She’s not getting much luck which has continued with today’s draw, but she is good enough to feature.
Selections: Forty Wives (10), B Smart (15), Mamma Mia (3), The Ladybird (13)
Suggested Bet: Forty Wives – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 2
Anteros has looked well up to winning a race and he should be very competitive here.
He’s no home run because he can make mistakes, but he’s well up to winning.
Dame Margot Fonteyn trialled very nicely before her fair debut at Winton.
This race looks easier than the field she ran 5th in.
Styrax is a local trotter that can feature if she handles her first race day experience.
Peaky Lou was solid in her debut for her new stable and rates a top 4 threat.
Shoosh rates next best.
Selections: Anteros (8), Dame Margot Fonteyn (3), Styrax (6), Peaky Lou (1)
Suggested Bet: Anteros – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 3
Sherwood Maggie has great early speed, which combined with her recent form and her nice draw makes her a potent force.
At the time of printing, she is yet to start at Winton on Saturday so take note of that performance.
Nyla loves a grass track and she’s also got a great draw, she should give eachway backers a great sight.
Four Starzzz Shiraz is yet another horse nicely positioned on the front row.
He also loves a grass track and punters should expect a genuine effort from him.
I’m Watching You’s form-line says it all, expect yet another genuine effort despite his tricky draw.
Also consider Sagwitch.
Selections: Sherwood Maggie (4), Nyla (3), I’m Watching You (13), Four Starzzz Shiraz (5)
Suggested Bet: Sherwood Maggie – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 4
Those who came to last year’s Gore Trots will remember Shandon Bells running a slashing 2nd.
She was only denied by the classy Peregrine who is in today’s feature trot.
Considering her good last start effort and her love of grass tracks, Shandon Bells rates top pick.
Cool Phelan brings outstanding form to this race and she ran an eye-catching race at Winton on Saturday.
Summars is another grass track specialist who can give eachway backers a good run for their money.
Dem Bones is an honest type that likes grass tracks, she’s a good hope of making the Trifecta and First4.
Selections: Shandon Bells (7), Cool Phelan (10), Summars (3), Dem Bones Dem Bones (2)
Suggested Bet: Shandon Bells – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 5
With a great draw and great trial form, The Orange Roughie looks hard to beat.
He’s trained on this track too which only adds to his winning claims.
Timbimboo has impressed recently and he looks to be getting very close to a winning turn.
Bowlem Over produced a nice grass track workout to warm up for this race, he looks set to continue his consistent form.
Smart I Am is another to consider, especially in place and Trifecta/First4 combinations given he looks set to get a sweet run from barrier 1.
Selections: The Orange Roughy (2), Timbimboo (3), Bowlem Over (11), Smart I Am (1)
Suggested Bet: The Orange Roughy – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 6
Domination’s Call’s last two starts might not have been his best, but he returns to a grass track today which is key.
With his best game – which we can expect to see as he’s from a leading trotting stable – he looks a major threat.
Cody Banner is another with strong grass form, he can be tricky at times but he’s up winning in this field on ability.
Jimmy Carter can undoubtedly win this race, simply forget his form-line.
He’s very risky but also very good when he gets it right, today could be his day.
Laurie’s Legacy can take this, she’s a risky type but she’s got the motor required to win.
Selections: Domination’s Call (7), Cody Banner (8), Jimmy Carter (10), Laurie’s Legacy (5)
Suggested Bet: Jimmy Carter – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 7
A strong last start effort has local horse Razor Sharp ready to produce a big effort.
Conquer Clare comes into this after running a big race in her last start on grass, with a repeat of that she can win this race.
Razor Sharp was excellent two starts ago but ran a shocker in his last outing at Winton.
He can be right in this, if he bounces back to his best form.
Mydadtheterror doesn’t bring the best form but he has taken on better fields, so he shouldn’t be under-rated.
Girlshavtime is another who hasn’t been in outstanding form, but she has been racing better fields.
In a wide-open race, The Dark Knight, Need A Change and Hacksaw Ridge are also worth considering.
Selections: Conquer Clare (3), Razor Sharp (1), Mydadtheterror (4), Girlshavtime (9)
Suggested Bet: Razor Sharp – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 8
A fantastic field and an even race for one of our features, with Hurricane Hill having the advantage of a head-start on several of his rivals.
He’s in great form and his last start suggested he is getting better with every run.
Peregrine is very genuine, she loves grass tracks and you know you are going to get a good run for your money.
Andy Hall’s form doesn’t look great but he’s the class horse of this field and well up to winning it with his best effort.
Wai Key Wee produced a big win at the Invercargill Cup meeting and deserves good respect, while Simone Lindenny can make the Trifecta and First4.
Selections: Hurricane Hill (2), Peregrine (4), Andy Hall (7), Wai Key Wee (5)
Suggested Bet: Razor Sharp – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 9
Captain Starlight produced a nice win at Gore’s Christmas meeting last year under very similar circumstances to those he faces today.
He looks primed to run another big race on the back of his good fresh up second.
Foveaux Strait is well up to winning this, he’s very genuine and is highly likely to give his backers a great run for his money.
Franco Huntington doesn’t have the best record on grass tracks, but he looks well placed in this field and deserves respect.
Ellz Angel and Redneck Woman are two that may offer nice value here, too.
Selections: Captain Starlight (2), Foveaux Strait (4), Franco Huntington (5), Ellz Angel (9)
Suggested Bet: Captain Starlight – Eachway
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 10
Though he takes on talented types, Macandrew Aviator’s last start 3rd in top level company stands him out as top pick.
His 30m back mark is made much easier by the smaller size of this field.
Franco Norton is a very speedy type who should be finishing as strongly as anything in this field.
Tairlaw Toll disappointed when chasing home Macandrew Aviator in their last meeting, but at his best he should thrive in today’s conditions.
Quaddie VC also deserves respect after a good last start win.
Local hero Robyns Playboy can’t be written off despite a couple of fair performances, he’s good enough to win.
Selections: Macandrew Aviator (7), Franco Norton (4), Tairlaw Toll (6), Quaddie VC (3)
Suggested Bet: Macandrew Aviator – Win
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 11
Sand Wave has battled the best pacers in New Zealand in his last two starts and looks to have this race at his mercy.
The big question for punters may be who fills the Quinella and Trifecta spots around him.
Step It Up A Notch looks well suited to this race and he measures up very well with the remainder of the field.
McLean impressed in his last start win at Ascot Park, though this is a huge step up he still rates highly.
As does Rightazz who has the big advantage of drawing barrier 1.
Also consider Sonny Maguire in your Trifecta/First4 bets.
Selections: Sand Wave (8), Step It Up A Notch (7), McLean (6), Rightazz (1)
Suggested Bet: Sand Wave with McLean/Step It Up A Notch – Quinella
Gore Christmas Trots Punting Picks – Race 12
A strong record on grass tracks and a great draw look to give Lou’s Deal his winning chance in the last on a big day at the Gore Trots.
He hasn’t had much luck lately but that looks set to change today.
Bizzie Lou has been running great races and she’s a very big winning threat.
Onedin Hurricane loves grass tracks, though he steps up slightly in grade he’s a strong top 3 chance.
Macandrew Navigator didn’t get much luck in his last start, but his efforts before that were great.
Consider Insarchatwist, Whata Razzle Dazzle or Lucys Delight if you’re looking for a bit of value to get out with in the last.
Selections: Lou’s Deal (2), Bizzie Lou (5), Onedin Hurricane (6), Macandrew Navigator (10)
Suggested Bet: Lou’s Deal – Win
