Looking for top picks for Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day? The Invercargill Harness Racing Club has you covered. Check out the comprehensive tipping guide for Southland’s biggest day of harness racing on Friday.
Punters and harness racing fans will be spoilt for choice with 12 races, including the Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes and the Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup.
Race 1 – Mc Knight and Brown Mobile Pace (2.55pm)
A small but select field to kick a big day off with a tactical battle sure to play out. Always Dreaming brings the best credentials to the race and he drops in class after chasing NZ’s best 2YO Marketplace at Addington last start. With little value in backing the favourite, It’s Electrifying looks a strong each way option. He’s improving with every run in the South Island and he’s got the best draw of the leading chances. La Concha built nicely to a handy last-start victory at Addington and is a logical include, as is Here’s Johnny who is a must in Trifecta or First4 bets.
Selections: Always Dreaming (6), Its Electrifying (4), Here’s Johny (1), La Concha (5)
Suggested bet: Its Electrifying (4) – Each Way
Race 2 – Craig Heyrick at Harcourts Real Estate Mobile Pace (3.34pm)
Today’s second event sees a big field full of legitimate winning chances do battle. Ebury Street is set to start a deserved favourite on the back of a strong Oamaru win and good overall form. With another short-priced favourite, punters might be tempted to take one of two each way options in Haley Robyn and Lily’s A Star. Only tough draws are against this in-form pair. Haley Robyn has run two excellent races but must contend with barrier 8. Lily’s A Star has barrier 16, which will be no easy task, but she’s as talented as any horse here. Airwaves is another facing a tough draw, but his last start was good and he’s good enough to win.
Selections: Ebury Street (6), Haley Robyn (8), Lily’s A Star (16), Airwaves (12)
Suggested bet: Haley Robyn (8) or Lily’s A Star (16)
Race 3 – Shaw Building Ltd Mobile Pace (4.08pm)
Punters looking for a safe option should look no further than the very consistent Durrant. The six-year-old keeps fronting up and running solid races and another is expected today. Magnetic Beckers has faced tougher races than this and barrier five looks a workable draw for a horse of his ability.
Robyns Playboy looks a nice value option from a sweet draw in barrier 2, consider him each way. Netherton Franco disappointed in her last start at Ascot Park but expect more from her today. Tabasco is another genuine winning hope in a wide-open event.
Selections: Durrant (10), Magnetic Beckers (5), Robyns Playboy (2), Tabasco (11),
Suggested bet: Magnetic Beckers (5) or Durrant (10) – Each way
Race 4 – Sheet Metalcraft Ltd Handicap Trot (4.40pm)
Race 4 sees a big field of evenly matched trotters do battle. Master Class is a talented and very reliable type who should give his backers a good run for their money. His recent second placings at Addington have been good and this looks a suitable race for him. Mixed Faith is a gritty type who won’t shirk a stern task and can offer some nice value. Emily is in a great patch of form and looks another solid each way option for punters. Though she comes in off a disappointing last-start effort, her prior form was good in strong races. The Present Maker is a talented type who will get plenty of support and has to be considered, too.
Selections: Master Class (9), Mixed Faith (13), Emily (11), KD Royalty (12)
Suggested bet: Master Class (9) – Each way
Race 5 – Quantum Print Mobile Pace (5.07pm)
Tricky draws for many of the leading chances set up yet another even race. Jay Ar Mac has shown promise in his short career and he’s produced nice recent trials, suggesting he is ready to run a big race. His last start third at Ascot Park was great and he’s a winning threat even from barrier 12. Shuffle Up is another with a tricky draw, he just needs a few breaks from barrier 9 to threaten. Cracker Opie has a nightmare alley in barrier 15 but he’s well up to winning, even from that tricky alley. From barrier 13, It’s A Pleasure is another genuine hope. Of those well placed in nice barriers, Shergar looks to have winning claims following his handy recent trials.
Selections: Jayar Mac (12), Shuffle Up (9), Cracker Opie (15), Shergar (2)
Suggested bet: Jayar Mac (12) – Each way
Race 6 – SBSR Sires’ Stakes Southern Solstice – 5.41pm
The 1700m distance of today’s three-year-old colts and geldings feature looks a key ingredient. Being handy to the pace will be essential over the sprint trip and Secret Agent Man looks well poised from barrier 5. He’s produced nice trials building up for his return today and was a classy winner of his only start on this track. Magician has faced better fields but it is a big ask to win from barrier 8, still he can’t be dismissed. Sodoyahavtime produced an excellent recent trial ahead of his return and he’s drawn to be right in the mix. Always B Elvis can’t be knocked after winning two from two, but his draw in barrier 9 looks no picnic.
Selections: Secret Agent Man (5), Sodoyahavtime (4), Magician (8), Always B Elvis (9)
Suggested bet: Secret Agent Man (5) – Win
Race 7 – Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes (Group 3) – 6.21pm
Muscle Mountain is a certified star and he’s expected to show exactly that in the feature trot. Though 30m is a decent handicap to face around the tight Ascot Park circuit, he’s a clear top pick and his class should make him very hard to beat. The favourite’s stablemate Midnight Dash is very honest, he’s well handicapped and he should be suited to this track. Consider him each way. Mystic Max is a proven top-level performer who also looks to be starting from a workable handicap. He’s a major player. From the front line, Rata can give the backmarkers something to catch. Hidden Talent and Styrax are both very capable types, but they can make mistakes. If they can bring their manners, they can both feature.
Selections: Muscle Mountain (12), Midnight Dash (10), Mystic Max (9), Rata (3)
Suggested bet: Muscle Mountain (12) and Midnight Dash (10)
Race 8 – Canada Stakes 3YO Fillies Mobile pace – 7.00pm
Ruby Roe hasn’t had much go her way in the best company at Addington recently, but with any luck on her side today she should prove hard to beat. She just needs to be within striking distance, expect her to be storming home. Louies Girl is another who has taken on very strong company recently, despite drawing poorly she’s a genuine threat. Melody Banner gets the best draw among the leading chances and with her best effort, she can win. Molly Belwin is another who should be storming home late, if she’s close enough on the turn she’s a threat. Consider First Light next.
Selections: Ruby Roe (7), Louies Girl (8), Melody Banner (4), Molly Belwin (12)
Suggested bet: Ruby Roe (7) – Win
Race 9 – Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup (Group 1) – 7.25pm
What a contest we have in the feature, you can back any of the top threats in the race knowing you’ll be on a very talented type. Mo’unga looked in the zone in his warm up win at Addington last week and prior to that he was huge in his sixth in the New Zealand Cup. If he steps away as quickly as he can, he should make up his handicap quickly and take plenty of stopping. Republican Party loves a staying test, as seen in his big third in the New Zealand Cup. He is the most proven horse at this level in this race. Up-and-comer Rakero Rocket has speed to burn and with a clean getaway he’s a strong winning threat. Mr consistent Charlie Brown is a must-have for any Trifecta, First4 and combo bets. Also consider Pinseeker who is sure to be running on late.
Selections: Mo’unga (10), Republican Party (11), Rakero Rocket (5), Charlie Brown (9)
Suggested bet: Republican Party (11) – Win
Race 10 – Forklifts NZ Ltd 2YO Fillies Mobile pace – 7.57pm
As a Group 1 winner and a seriously speedy filly, Captains Mistress is clearly the horse to beat. Barrier 8 looks the only negative factor for the favourite, but with her sizzling speed, she can overcome her wide draw and win. Joyride looks to be building nicely with every run in her short career, she has few draw favours either but she’s got strong claims. Selsey Anne has shown quality in her short career and gets the advantage of drawing inside the two favourites. Spicey Crunch is another classy type facing a tricky draw, but she’s right up to featuring with any luck. Chicago Sky and Just Like Jagger look value options for Trifectas and First4s.
Selections: Captains Mistress (8), Joyride(AUS) (7), Selsey Anne (6), Spicey Crunch (12)
Suggested bet: Captains Mistress (8) – Win
Race 11 – Diamond Creek Farm/ SBSR Robin Dundeee Crown – 8.24pm
Those looking for a good thing on Group 1 Invercargill Cup Day, won’t find much better than Lakelsa. After competing in strong company recently, the mare produced a stunning victory with a flat tyre in her last start victory at Addington. Punters biggest question looks to be who will fill the combo bets around the favourite. Snap Shot is drawn inside the Lakelsa and is sure to have her right within her sights. Seacracka is a big chance of filling a placing, her only query is her tricky second-row draw. Flying Bird can run a cheeky race while Insarchatwist can also be considered.
Selections: Lakelsa (7), Snap Shot (6), Seacracka (9), Flying Bird (11)
Suggested bet: Lakelsa (7), Snap Shot (6), Seacracka (9) – Trifecta
Race 12 – Ron McEwan Memorial Mobile Pace – (8.51pm)
Tough draws for the key contenders make today’s finale a wide-open affair. Miraculous is the best-credentialled horse but faces a big ask from barrier 14. With any luck, he still rates the horse to beat. Aint No Angel draws nicely in barrier 1 and looks capable of running a nice race at good odds.
South Seas Rock loves this track and is sure to be put in the race and given his chance. Beach Day is a talented mare, fit and ready to win today even from her wide draw. Always B There and Judaque are both in great form and can also be considered.
Selections: Miraculous (14), Aint No Angel (1), South Seas Rock (13), Beach Day (7)
Suggested bet: Miraculous (14) – Each way
McClymont’s dual hopes for Group victory at Ascot Park
By Jonny Turner
There’s more to Gay McClymont keeping her outstanding run of form going when Styrax and Rata head to Group 1 Ascot Park Invercargill Cup Day on Friday.
With a wave of Canterbury raiders attacking the feature races on the south’s big day, McClymont holds some of the biggest hopes of a Southland victory.
Rata and Styrax head to the Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Trot with one mission in mind, taking advantage of their front-line draws and running their rivals ragged in from the front line.
Styrax did exactly that in her outstanding win at Winton last weekend, never giving anything else a look in and never looking like getting run down.
This time in, the mare has shown when she’s hot she’s hot. And she’s shown her trainer similar traits in her temperament around her barn.
“I had a bit of a laugh when that other horse went up and tried to take the lead off her, she almost had a look of disdain on her face.”
Styrax is on an eight-day backup following her Winton win, but it’s not something McClymont is worried about at all.
“She ties up if she has days off, she is a funny old thing,” the trainer said.
“She can have one day off but that is about it.”
“I lost most of the season last season with it, we could never get the right pattern with her.”
“And we could never really get to the bottom of exactly what the issue was.”
“She seems to thrive on the racing, she is coming from her recent runs and she barely even blows.”
“Even the swabbing stewards notice, she barely looks like she’s had a race.”
“So backing up won’t worry her.”
Both with big, powerful motors, so far Rata has the edge in being the more reliable of the two McClymont trained trotters.
Styrax has galloped away in two of her three latest standing starts, but one of those errors came after a false start.
Rata hasn’t missed a beat recently, stringing together outstanding form before brilliantly winning the Group Two Grand Duchess Mares Trot at Addington, last month.
The big sister of the trotting duo comes into Ascot Park in a contrasting situation, being freshened since her last start win.
McClymont just hopes Rata isn’t too fresh.
“She has had a freshen up since Addington, they both worked at Gore today (Tuesday) and they worked quite well.”
“They’ll have a couple of quieter days now.”
“Rata is usually the sensible one, but because she is fresh she can throw her head about and you just hope she will be able to step away.”
“But to be fair, she is generally reasonably safe.”
If McClymont can do Southland proud on one of its biggest days, it will continue a run of form this spring the trainer is already describing as unbelievable.
“It has been a wee bit unbelievable, you don’t get your hopes up because you win a few but you lose a lot.”
“It has been pretty special.”
“I have always loved both of them, though sometimes Styrax can be hard to love with her personality.”
“But they have always shown a lot of ability and it has been good they have been able to show it.”
Jonny Cox reunites with Styrax on Friday with Brad Williamson to continue his association with Styrax.
